ICC Note:
As Pakistan decides whether or not to divide into a greater number of provinces, Christian political leaders are calling for the formation of a separate Christian province. These leaders claim that Christians played a major role in the creation of Pakistan because they were promised equality. Unfortunately, since the formation of Pakistan, Christians have been treated like second class citizens. Will the creation of a separate Christian province solve the myriad of issues faced by Pakistani Christians?
10/3/2014 Pakistan (Christian Post) – Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress (PCC), has demanded the formation of a separate Christian province as an administrative unit on the division of Punjab.
Muslim political parties are demanding formation of 20 to 37 provinces as administrative units in Pakistan instead of the four provinces Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan.
Pakistan Christian Congress (PCC) demanded the formation of a separate Christian province in 1992 in a press conference in Hotel Jabees, Karachi.
Dr. Nazir Bhatti said, “Pakistan was not formed for Muslims only, Christians played a positive role in the Pakistan Movement and the Punjab province fell in the lot of Pakistan on the vote of Christian leaders from the All India Christian Association before the Boundary Commission during colonial rule of the sub-continent of India because Sikhs and Hindus population were in majority and Muslim in minority in Punjab.
“Christians not only made Punjab as part of Pakistan, but also made possible the formation of Pakistan in 1947, with their votes in favor of Pakistan in the Round Table Conferences from 1930-32 in London,” added Nazir Bhatti
Nazir Bhatti said that the formation of Pakistan was on an ideology of religion but after independence of Pakistan, the feudal lords and elite Muslim class, declared five provinces on ethnic ground like Punjab, Northwest Frontier Province, Sindh, Balochistan and East Pakistan to prolong their rule over poor Muslims and Christians.
“When Muslim political parties are demanding the division of Pakistan into 20-37 provinces instead of 4 provinces and neglecting demands of Pakistani Christians for formation of a separate Christian province, it is very unfortunate,” added Nazir Bhatti
The PCC Chief said that Muslims are enjoying the resources of the federation of Pakistan while Christians are treated as 2nd class citizens and deprived of their basic democratic rights in Pakistan.
The Christians are facing hate from the Muslim majority and legislation against them has snatched their rights. A Christian wearing a cross on their neck cannot eat in any restaurant or roadside vendor nor can he share in catering industry because Muslims hate to eat meals prepared by Christians. They do not even allow Christians to eat from the same utensils in which Muslims dine. The parliament of Pakistan has never attempted to legislate against the curse of hate in the society.
The Christian youth are denied their due quota in government jobs and admissions in professional and higher study institutions which has created unemployment and poverty among Christians.
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