Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) -Religious extremism and possible responses from the local Catholic Church; general election in 2008 and prospects for religious minorities in a democratic system; the role, functions and potential of civil society in Pakistan; human rights, religious freedom, education, blasphemy laws. These were the basic contents of a 'Challenges and Responsibility' Seminar organised by the Catholic Bishops' Justice and Peace Commission 2 and 3 October in Rawalpindi. Participants included many leading members of Christian Churches in Pakistan and representatives of civil society organisations.
The Seminar was organised to reflect on the present situation of instability in Pakistan, where extremist groups increasingly threaten normal democratic social life and respect for basic human rights. The most affected by an atmosphere of intimidation and hostility are religious minorities, including Pakistan's Christians especially in the north west of the country. The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission listened to the stories of violence suffered and request for help from Christians in North West Frontier Province, where radical Islamic groups raged undisturbed.
According to religious minorities and civil society associations such as the Commission for Peace and Human Development, Forum for a Liberal Pakistan, Christian Study Centre, Pakistan national identity crisis is rooted in the progressive weakening and loss of the original vision of the nation, consigned by the 'Father of the Homeland' Ali Jinnah for whom the nation should be open, democratic, tolerant, pluralist, secular giving citizens rights to minorities, sound basis in democratic institutions and power sharing, regulated by a Constitution. Distancing itself from this model making room for military power and the virus of fundamentalism, Pakistan is becoming a different nation to the one imagined by Jinnah, and is betraying his legacy. Supremacy of military power has weakened the democratic institutions and the common sense of democratic culture: in a country will is civil and democratic rights are guaranteed for all citizens but in Pakistan there is much discrimination and abuse. Religious freedom must be guaranteed and culture of democracy and respect for human rights must be promoted and legislative, social and political reforms are urgent. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2007 righe 28 parole 288)
