Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – The fears expressed by Christians and other religious minorities in the area are showing themselves to be well-founded: in having conceded control of the Swat Valley to the Taliban, legalizing sharia, the fundamentalists have regained strength and are now showing their might in other parts of the country, including in Pakistan's largest cities (see Fides 22/4/2009). This is what Agenzia Fides learned from Fr. Mario Rodriguez, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Pakistan. Fr. Mario, who lives in Karachi – portal city to the South of Pakistan – gave an account of an episode that has left the Christians in the city on alert. On April 22, several Talibans were caught spraying offensive and intimidating messages on the walls of Church. They were stopped by a group of Christians, however they returned with over 40 armed soldiers and began firing on the Christians gathered there, wounding 15 people, including a young man who was severely wounded. They then proceeded to sack the houses of 15 Christian families in the area, later setting them on fire. Their aim is to have the Christians leave the area of pay a tribute imposed by the sharia on non-Muslim minorities.
The police arrived on the seen and imposed a ceasefire in the neighborhood, while the communities are asking the local government for protection and justice. The “Muttahida Quami Movement,” which represents the religious minorities in the Pakistani Parliament, organized a protest, condemning what had occurred and saying “no to the Talibanization of Pakistan.”
Following the rigorous establishment of the Islamic law in the Swat District, the Taliban have also taken over the Buren District in the northwestern part of the country, at about 100 km from the capital, Islamabad. As a result of international pressure, the Pakistani government, after a complex negotiation process with local authorities, militants have retreated from the area. The government has sent in paramilitary groups, however the situation remains tense throughout the country and Christian minorities feel threatened, afraid, and the target of the fundamentalists.
The increase in violence throughout Pakistan and the expanded influence of the Taliban in the nation is leading to a growing concern among international institutions, religious communities, non-government organizations, and civil society movements. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2009)
