Christian inmates continue strike at Adiala Jail

Christian inmates continue strike at Adiala Jail

ICC Note: Even if these Christians are in prison for legitimate reasons, and that is a big if in Pakistan, the authorities are treating them as sub-human by denying them equal rights with Muslim inmates who are able to worship freely.

3/22/07 Pakistan (Daily Times) – Over 30 inmates of the Adiala Jail continued their strike on the third consecutive day on Wednesday against demolition of a church on the jail premises and on being stopped from performing their religious rituals.
It has been learnt that over 150 Christians are languishing at the jail and are determined to continue their strike till the jail administration allows them to perform their religious services.
Talking to Daily Times, Jail Superintendent Shahid Saleem Baig said there was no church on the jail premises and they had allowed Christian inmates to perform their religious rituals in room number two because of overcrowding in the jail.
The protesting Christians, joined by inmates of some other minority communities, condemned what they called the irresponsible and discriminatory attitude of the jail administration towards them.
Shahbaz Bhati, Chairman All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, criticised the jail authorities for barring Christian inmates from performing their religious rituals.