Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - Pakistani Christians in Karachi ask the political authorities to postpone a political demonstration scheduled for Christmas Day from the "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf" party. The party, a rising star on the political scene in Pakistan, is chaired by Imran Khan, former cricketer who has dedicated himself to politics, and promises to be the "new face" of Pakistani politics in the next election. According to some observers, Khan could also represent "hope for religious minorities," as he is inspired by the values of secularism and tolerance, but "the debut has not been good, if he wants to hold the first large gathering on Christmas Day, without any respect for Christians", comments to Fides Haroon Barkat Masih, Director of "Masihi Foundation ", an association that protects the rights of Christians in Pakistan.
The faithful have been mobilized: Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, and president of the "All Pakistan Minorities Alliance" (APMA) in Sindh, has submitted an official letter to the civil authorities, asking for the postponement of the event. The gathering is planned at the Quaid-e-Azam Mazaar, Ali Jinnah’s memorial place, the "father of the fatherland", during the day considered his date of birth, December 25. According to Haroon Barkat Masih, "even on Jinnha’s date of birth there are doubts. Reliable sources say that he was born in October. Then about 40 years ago, the government, to justify the granting of Christmas Day as a public holiday, said that this was the day that Jinnah was born".
In the event, notes the letter sent to APMA, there are several churches and places of worship of different denominations, such as the Catholic Church, Church of Pakistan, the Pentecostal Church, Salvation Army, Baptist Church, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian. Therefore, the influx of thousands of believers is expected. The gathering would be a serious impediment to all faithful Christians, who have serious difficulties to attend the churches on Christmas day, since their sacred right is limited. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2011)
