Persecution in Pakistan
The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, gave the following address in the NSW Legislative Council.
"I have received an appeal for help from the founder and president of the Pakistan Christian Rights Organization, who has provided me with some alarming facts. He indicates that according to Christian non-government organisations and para-church missions there are about 20 million to 22 million Christians living in different parts of Pakistan. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in a 14-point declaration stated that minorities were to be free to profess their religion in Pakistan. The declaration also guaranteed a 5 per cent quota for minorities in government and semi-government jobs and opportunities for admission to professional, academic and other higher education institutions", said Rev Fred Nile.
"Christians played a significant and positive role in the establishment of Pakistan and voted for it in the Boundary Commission. Since gaining independence in 1949 until the death of the first Prime Minister, Khan Liquate Ali Khan, the promises made to the Christian community were honoured. However, after 1956 their rights were gradually eroded. Their darkest time was in 1973, when Christian institutions and medical centres were taken over by the Government and job discrimination emerged. Even educated Christians were losing their jobs. The Christian job quota in the government sector was also abolished under the Islamic Republic Constitution. The Pakistan People's Party Government also revoked the 5 per cent quota for Christian students and missionary schools, colleges and hospitals were nationalised. Christians were banned from holding any commanding post in the armed forces or from heading any government or semi-government body in Pakistan. These were very serious limitations on the ability of Christians to play an equal role in the nation.
The 1985 eighth amendment to the Constitution was a major setback for Christians when, under Presidential Order No. 4 issued by the military ruler Zia Ul Haq and the Prohibition and Hudd ordinance, Islamic laws were imposed on minority groups. Islamic laws of evidence and compensation and blasphemy laws were also introduced. These Islamic laws opened the doors to religious terrorism. The laws were implemented so slowly that the Christian community became aware of them only when their members were first arrested under blasphemy laws in Pakistan in 1990. The worst incidents of Christian persecution occurred in 2002 when dozens were arrested and a few were sentenced to death. Churches were also attacked by Muslim militants, who killed more than 50 Christians. Many attacks occurred across Pakistan and Christians throughout the country were afraid for their lives.
A recent incident in Gojra saw the loss of seven lives and more than 112 houses destroyed. It was a clear demonstration to Christians across the world that the Government had failed to control the mob. The Christian elders and others informed government officials that their lives were in danger. However, the local government and police administration ignored them and took no action. That was not a new response. They let the mob burn down the Christian's homes and kill them. This human rights leader is calling on Australia to do all it can to support the Christians in Pakistan and free them from discrimination. He wants Australia to be ready to provide refuge for Christians from Pakistan. We will continue to pray for the Christians of Pakistan that they may eventually have the same freedoms and rights as every other citizen of Pakistan", Rev Nile stated.