Peace Welfare and Development Association (PWDA), One Release International (ORI), in collaboration with Voice for Justice and BTL TV jointly organized Forum on Religious Freedom FRF 2023 the state of religious freedom in Pakistan, to discuss challenges and opportunities with reference Article 20 Constitution of Pakistan and Article 18 Universal Declaration of Human Rights UDHR at the IRTIQA Institute of Social Science, Gulshan Iqbal.
Program began with the National Anthem followed by the Anthem song of, PWDA was presented.
Aamir Roger Bhatti, Joint Secretary, PWDA, welcomed the audience while Dr. Sabir Michael, President PWDA explained the aims and objectives of the program.
He said that in this program we will talk about the fundamental human rights and religious freedom that the constitution gives us and we will also pay tribute to Bishop Dr. John Joseph on his martyrdom day.
Mr. Asad Butt, Co-Chairperson, Human Rights Commission Pakistan was guest of honor while Qazi Khizar, Vice-Chairperson Human Rights Commission, Sindh Presided over program.
In his address, Krishan Sharma (Chairman, Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee) made special reference to the Quaid-e-Azam’s address and articles of the Constitution. He said that there is very little freedom for religious minorities in the election manifesto of political parties. We Pakistani citizens whose religion is not Islam are suffering from numerous problems. Society has to change its perspective and make an inclusive strategy.
Religious minorities are loyal citizens but they have to prove it. We have to create a society where the vision of Quaid-e-Azam can be fulfilled.
The Head of the Department of Public Relations, Federal Urdu University, Dr. Asghar Ahmed Dashti, said that religious minorities were constitutionally made second-class citizens through the 1949 Objective Resolution. Article 20 is a fundamental right. Despite the existence of this article, it is often violated. Social attitudes reflect this situation, there is no mindset for acceptance of religious minorities. Religious minorities have not been accepted from the beginning. The social circle for minorities is narrowing.
Sister Catherine Qaiser, Coordinator of Catholic Women’s Association, Karachi said that we have freedom to go to our worship, but to move forward in society. Opportunities are very less.
Political Activist Liaquat Munwar said that we have not been given a clear plan for the electoral system till date. Only real representatives can make the political system better.
Senior leader of Christian People’s Alliance Jamal-ul-Deen Rajput mentioned various social and constitutional injustices and said that our rights are being denied.
Chairman National Christian Party, Shahbbir Shafqat said that religious freedom in real sense is not available to minorities. But now time and environment have changed.
Social and human rights activist Pushpa Kumari said that our future is young people. We have no fear but concern. Minority live with love and passion for their country.
Ilyas Samuel, spokesperson of Voice for Justice, also gave a brief speech on the situation of religious freedom in the society. He demanded full provision of the freedoms given under Article 20.
Senior social leader Zahid Farooq said that what happened in the past, it happened, now we need to formulate a plan for how to live in 2023. He said that solving the problems of religious minorities is possible only through political parties.
Qazi Khizar said that solutions for religious minorities are best found through the political process. We had to raise our voice for our rights together.
Mr, Asad Butt said that all people are aware of this situation, now we should gather common people so that people can come closer to each other.
At the end of the program, Dr. Sabir Michael thanked all the participants and presented a resolution which was passed by people.
He said that forced religious conversion, blasphemy against minorities and misuse of discriminatory Laws should be stopped and the case against the false accuser should be registered as a state complaint.
Hate speeches against minorities should be stopped on mainstream and social media.
A minority rights commission should be established under the Sindh government and all religious minorities should be given adequate representation and administrative and financial autonomy should be given.
