Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – In the political crisis in Pakistan “the Catholic Church supports democracy, supreme good for the nation to safeguard, and stresses the urgency of to find those solutions with legal and democratic means which safeguard also human lives. Demonstrators and government must come to a compromise, instituting a commission of enquiry to investigate violent events in June in Lahore and also present electoral irregularities. However justified and legitimate demands for justice and transparency will not be obtained with street demonstrations. Nor is it possible to demand without taking constitutional paths the resignation of a government elected by millions of Pakistani citizens”: Fides heard from Cecil Shane Chaudhry, a Catholic layman, executive director of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops of Pakistan.
After three days of clashes with the police forces who, tried but failed, to disperse the demonstrators, Islamabad is still in political stalemate, with thousands of peaceful demonstrators occupying the centre of the capital. The demonstrators belong to two political opposition groups, led by Imran Khan and Tahir ul-Qadri, calling for the resignation of premier Nawaz Sharif.
Chaudhry tells Fides: “Some demands are justified – elimination of poverty and corruption guarantee electricity for everyone – street protests cannot be the only path. Other democratic means exist. The situation of stall in the long run could damage Pakistan’s democratic process, achieved with such fatigue. Even the people find this battle between demonstrators intolerable. The country is in a limbo which could have unpredictable consequences. The ways must be legal and constitutional”.
Having said this, “the violent reaction of the government is inacceptable”, Chaudhry adds. “In the streets there are common citizens, middle class urban families, women, children. Innocent civilians, not radical violence militants. For Chaudhry it is necessary to “support dialogue started with leaders of political, judiciary and military powers. The government must tackle the questions raised, certainly not the request to step down. Another solution would be to institute an Investigating Commission which includes some of the protest leaders. If the commission finds irregularities or misdeeds then the country has the right to call for the resignation of the Premier, in keeping with the Constitution”.
The Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Bishops of Pakistan has joined the civil society network “Joint Action Committee for People Rights” with all the principal networks, NGOs and organisations which uphold human rights. The network condemns both violence in Lahore and the ongoing demonstrations, rivalry between the parties, and urges everyone to respect legality. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/9/2014)
