Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - Equal rights, equal opportunity, equal dignity for Pakistani citizens belonging to religious minorities: is the renewed appeal of civil society representatives in Pakistan. The debate on the status of minorities, victims of discrimination and marginalization, is back in vogue during the celebrations commemorating the Catholic Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, killed a year ago in Islamabad by a group of terrorists.
In several messages sent to Fides, the Pakistani leaders of civil society organizations remember Bhatti as "a leader who raised his voice against discrimination and abuse of the blasphemy law" and call for "real equality, freedom and equal rights for religious minorities in Pakistan, to ensure future generations to live in peace, without any discrimination". Tahira Abdullah, a human rights activist, a Muslim, said: "the people want to live in the Pakistan of Ali Jinnah and not in a nation of fanatics," recalling that the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, "wanted a secular and democratic nation, respectful of the rights and freedoms of all citizens, of any religion."
Civil society leaders also asked civil authorities in Islamabad to name a street and a public park in honour of Shahbaz Bhatti but, as reported to Fides, "the fear of extremism and resentment on behalf of some religious environments, does not allow civil authorities to welcome this initiative." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/03/2012)
