Pakistani minorities demand Punjab province governorship -Minorities will cease to beg for their rights, says Pakistani Minorities Leader
by Sheraz Khurram Khan
August 16, 2007
LAHORE, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Highlighting minorities' sacrifices and contribution in the creation of Pakistan, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance Chief Shahbaz Bhatti has said that since the province Punjab at the time of partition became part of Pakistan with decisive votes of minorities, therefore the governor of province Punjab should be from among minorities communities. "Governorship of province Punjab should be entrusted to minorities for ever as it will be reminiscence of the minorities' struggle and sacrifices towards creation of Pakistan," said Shahbaz Bhatti on Saturday, August 11 while addressing thousands of people from minorities communities who rallied in the eastern city of Lahore at Minar-e-Pakistan, the site where plans for the creation of Pakistan were first drawn up.
"I am proud of religious minorities who shed their blood for creation of Pakistan and for their commitment to live and die for the newly created Pakistan," said Bhatti.
APMA observed August 11 as 'Minority Day' and called for equal rights for Pakistani minorities in line with the vision of the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
People from minorities' communities including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Parsees attended the rally, making it a grand assembly of religious minorities under the umbrella of APMA.
Shahbaz Bhatti was hardly visible as he was approaching the stage. Scores of people had encircled him and it looked as if they had formed human shields to protect their leader's life in the event of any eventuality.
"Your presence today leaves little to doubt that minorities are no longer oppressed communities. I have never aspired after power, affluence, offices and privileges but I only pray to God that I get martyred while fighting for the rights of religious minorities communities, Bhatti said amid shouts: "Qaid teray naam pay shahdat bhi qabool hey" (We are ready to accept martyrdom in your name).
Referring to the oft-quoted speech of the founding father of Pakistan, Bhatti said that Jinnah's August 11 speech is the basis of Pakistan foundation and policy.
Citing reason for minorities reposing trust in Jinnah, he said it was because of the pledge the founder of Pakistan had made with them that they would have equal rights in the newly created country.
He lamented that the rulers divided Pakistan in the name of religion after demise of Jinnah, and rendered its people slaves. "Today they are identified as Shittes and Sunnis, Hindus and Christians, Baluchis and Pathans and Punjabis and Sindhis, said Bhatti pointing to the division among people on sectarian and provincial lines.
He alleged the rulers had introduced Kalashnikov culture in the educational institutions of the country, which he said has held its people hostage to the sectarian organizations.
"From this day onwards there will be no more divisions and exploitation in the name of religion."
Coming hard on martial law dictators he said they introduced discriminatory laws, forcing minorities communities to become the lowest of the low, he said.
Enlisting minorities' contribution in the creation of Pakistan he claimed they shed their blood to see Pakistan appear on the map of the world. Pakistan would not have been created if the minorities had not played their role in Pakistan Movement, he said.
"Our ancestors struggled for the creation of Pakistan at every stage and our national heroes shed their blood for protection of its frontiers," said APMA Chief.
The religious minorities in Pakistan are treated (by the majority) with a predetermined mindset that they are untouchables and second class citizens in Pakistan, he alleged.
"It is thought that they are slaves and helpless. It is generally assumed they are vulnerable to exploitation. It is taken for granted that the minorities could be easily robbed of their expression".
"The religious minorities are not orphans. They are not migrants. We will not beg for our rights by holding a begging bowl now. Now, we will not lament in the wake of atrocities inflicted on us," said a stiff Bhatti.
Through national solidarity we will snatch our rights, said Shahbaz Bhatti, who was clad in white Shalwar Qameez and a black waist coat, Pakistan national dress while addressing 'National Solidarity Rally' three days ahead of 60th birthday anniversary of Pakistan.
Fiery Shahbaz called for equal treatment of religious minorities, a predominantly Muslim country.
He went on to say that the minorities united under the aegis of APMA could respond to terrorists in a peaceful manner. The miscreants, he said, wanted to usurp minorities' rights.
"We will prefer crucifixion and imprisonment than accepting undemocratic and discriminatory laws. We will never ever accept them", said adamant Bhatti while implying to laws including Blasphemy laws perceived as discriminatory by the religious minorities in Pakistan.
"Today from this forum, we reject all discriminatory laws which are also in contravention of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and national solidarity."
Bhatti's address was punctuated with slogans by the participants. They responded to fiery Bhatti by raising slogans and clapping: Nai Soch Naya Khyal Inqlab Inqlab (Innovative thinking and innovative ideas Revolution, Revolution).
"Man loh Shahbaz Bhatti da kehna haq brabar ley kay rehna" (Accede to Bhatti's vision of securing equal rights), said enthusiastic participants some of them swaying and clapping.
The crowds numbering in thousands cheered him and waved red, white and blue colored APMA flags bearing a symbol of cross in the centre. Some of them had painted APMA flags on their faces. Others had wrapped APMA flags round their heads. Some women activists of the alliance were seen wearing scarves dyed in red, white and blue colors.
They said that the founding father had envisioned Pakistan as a country where every citizen irrespective of his color, creed or religion would have equal rights.
"I have come from Sukkur by train to attend the rally. I am glad to see grand assembly of minorities, said Nasreen, 28, a female student of Masters of English.
Charged Bhatti urged the minorities to stand united to confront the challenges facing them. "We will chart out a new history of revolution," he vowed.
When Bhatti asked the participants of the rally if they were ready to fight for their rights the participants yelled:" Qadam barho Shahbaz bhai hum tumharay sath hein "(Advance brother Shahbaz, We are with you)"
Encouraged by his audience's overwhelming backing the APMA chief asked them to form a chain of solidarity by holding each other's hands.
"We bury all discriminatory laws and codes in front of Minar-e-Pakistan", said Bhatti amid rapturous applause and slogans by the rally participants. Bhatti vowed to fight for the minorities' rights and urged people to join hands with APMA.
He assured the participants nothing could prevent him from fighting for their rights.
"My tongue could be severed. I could be imprisoned or become target of terrorist attack but your brother and son will never make any compromise over your rights", pledged Bhatti.
Addressing the rally the General Secretary of APMA Group Captain (retd) Cecil Chaudhry asked Muslim participants of the rally if Pakistani religious minorities have equal rights.
He called for a constitution in line with the vision of the founder of Pakistan. "A brother kills his brother in the name of religion. Churches are being torched and temples are being dismantled. Is this the Pakistan Jinnah had envisioned", he argued.
APMA Zonal Coordinator, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry condemned injustices with the minorities communities, expressing optimism that Bhatti-led leadership will ensure that minorities get their rights.
Those who addressed the rally included Cecil Chaudhry, APMA Executive General, Pervaiz Rafique, Member provincial assembly, Najmi Saleem, Member provincial assembly, M. Parkash, Virbal Ram Chohan, Akmal Bhatti, George Paul, Catholic Priest and human rights activist, Rev. Bonnie Mendas, Jaffar George, Sardar Ram Singh, Sardar Kalyan Singh, Dr. Javed Johan, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, Coordinator, APMA, Dr. Javed John, Nazeer Qaisar, Prince Javed.
Talking to ANS Chairman Rays of Development (ROD) Ferhan Mazher said that the huge gathering of minorities communities shows that the religious minorities have become united on one platform. He said minorities could overcome challenges confronting them only by forging unity in their ranks.
The Rays of Development team including Chairman Ferhan Mazher, Coordinator Fact Finding, Zimran Elias, Jawad Mazher, Nadeem Samuel, Adnan Saeed, Imran Mazher and Imran Munir accompanied ANS.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
