NEW YORK — A former Pakistani parliamentarian advocating for equal treatment for religious minorities back home claims life is sometimes hell for the Islamic Republic’s Christian minorities, who are often victimized by blasphemy laws and bear the brunt of public resentment against Western nations like the United States.
“Due to our faith, we are persecuted. People are killing us, people are burning us, and people are putting us in jail. And (the) state (has) failed to protect the rights (of Christians) and (have failed in) their responsibility,” said political and human rights activist Pervez Rafique. “The state doesn’t have any solid and concrete policy and agenda and plan to protect marginalized and persecuted Christians and other non-Muslims in Pakistan.”
Rafique, a former minority member of parliament representing the Pakistan People’s Party in Punjab, worked alongside Shahbaz Bhatti, the Christian minorities minister who was assassinated in 2011, as a chief coordinator for All Pakistan Minorities Alliance. At the time of transition prompted by Bhatti’s murder, a clash with the former leader’s family members forced Rafique and supporters to leave the organization he had served for more than 10 years. Since then, Rafique has helped found another group, with a similar name, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance-Founders, which in combination with the PAK Christian Fellowship, represents around 25,000 people, he told The Christian Post.
“Religious organizations, especially the Taliban and their allied organizations, they are getting a message to the international community,” Rafique added. “They think that (by) persecuting Christians, attacking Christians and killing Christians, they will get revenge (on) the international community, such as America or the European community or the United Nations (and) those that are taking steps for peace-building against ISIS, against Islamist militant organizations.” Full Story.