TV hustle causes arrest of Christian sanitory worker's sons!

Please read story of another attack on poor Christians.  The report was sent by a Tariq Patras and is reproduced Prima Facie:

Lahore: June 12, 2013.(LEAD) Today one Christian sanitary worker Riaz Masih met Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, National Director LEAD and shared his painful tragic story which is being happened with his family from last 4 years.

Riaz Masih, who has three sons and two daughters, living at Cantt Lahore. In 2009 he took a Television and a TV trolley on installments from a shop of Muslim owner Asghar Ali Rubani whose total value was Rs.44000 (Approximately US$ 440). He had paid whole amount within prescribed period,but he forced him to pay interest which was around about Rs.200,000 (Approximately US$ 2000)

On 12 February,2013 at 21 PM Four Muslims Asghar Ali Rubani,Muhammad Shahzad,Muhammad Nadeem and Allachi; armed with deadly weapons entered his house and started to beat him and his wife and other family members.They also threatened to make involve his whole family in criminal cases if he would not give them more amount of Rs.400,000 (Approximately US$ 4000).

Riaz Masih gave next day one complaint application in Police Station South Cantonment ,Lahore,but Police did not take any action against them after taking.

On 11 June,2013 Asghar Ali Rubani made registered false FIR No.483/13 at Police Station Factory Area in which Riaz Masih and his two sons were nominated and one son has been arrested.

Riaz Masih requested Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, National Director LEAD that LEAD should give free legal aid and save the family from the cruelness and barbarity of Muslim shopkeeper and Injustice of police officials.

LEAD request you all to pray for such families who are being persecuted in different ways and undergo injustice and cruelness of majority community of Pakistan.

'THIS ONLY UNITES US' … FAITH GROUPS REVISIT MURDER SITE TO REMEMBER FALLEN HERO

'THIS ONLY UNITES US' …

FAITH GROUPS REVISIT MURDER SITE TO REMEMBER FALLEN HERO

Following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby outside the Royal Artillery barracks in Woolwich on 22nd May, faith leaders will return to the crime site to remember fallen local hero. Speakers include representatives from all major faiths who, with one voice, stand united against hate-crimes perpetrated in the name of religion. The service will take place between 3pm to 6pm on Sunday June 16th at Woolwich Central Baptist Church, Simmonds Road, off Sandy Hill Road, London, SE18 6UX.  A wreath will also be placed at the site of Drummer Lee Rigby's attack.  

A collection will be taken towards the installation of a Peace Monument designed by Mosaic Artist Gary Drostle who was brought up in Woolwich.  Gary is responsible for the Redbridge Peace Monument commemorating the death of three victims of Teen knife crime.

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/art-has-always-been-intrinsic-to-socio.html

Event organiser, President of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), Wilson Chowdhry, says : 

“When news broke the other week of the barbaric brutal murder of an off-duty soldier in broad daylight on a busy London street I shuddered.  Although, sad to say, the BPCA has become accustomed to similar stories of cowardly assassinations in Pakistan I never for one moment ever expected to hear of such atrocities happening so close to home here on the streets of London. The BPCA has been relentless in speaking out in the UK against the aggressive and violent forces of radical extremists when these erupt overseas. It seems only appropriate that we and progressive humanitarians of all diversities redouble our efforts to do so in the light of recent domestic events.”   

Ranbir Singh of the Hindu Human Rights Group (HHR) said : 

“HHR urges all communities to work together in order to defeat intolerance and extremism from wherever it raises its ugly head and which threatens to tear apart those very democratic values which we hold so dear, as well as the liberty which we take for granted. We encourage all peoples of all races and all religions to join us on 16th in the spirit of solidarity, to stand together in the name of peace. The individual tears we shed in remembrance of Drummer Lee Rigby will water the seed of hope for a world where hatred and violence has no place.”

Hal St John, from Woolwich band ooberfuse, who will be leading the music on the 16th with a lament mourning the loss of local hero Drummer Lee Rigby says : 

“I am still numb with shock at the ferociousness of the attack. I was inspired by the cub scout pack leader, Ingrid Loyau -Kennett, dubbed the ‘angel of Woolwich,’ because she confronted one of the men at the murder site. She told the attacker, who was still clutching a bloodied knife,  that he would never win the war he was hoping to start in London...it is only him and his accomplice against the majority of peace-loving citizens. Our song Keep Calm ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac-GdvYzlkw )  appeals for peace in the face of aggravated deep-seated emotions that cry out for justice. Remaining calm is the best way to challenge the ‘poisonous narrative of extremism’ that feeds these grotesque acts of violence.”

Also performimg is Davina Hall a breast cancer survivor closely involved with Cancer Research in promoting events and who recently shared her story in the press alongside Angelia Jolie, as she is too a Brca 1 carrier and underwent a double mastectomy last year, she said;

"life is very precious, it should never be taken for granted and after my experience with my health I appreciate life even more so now than ever. What happened to Lee Rigby was devastating, an innocent life being snatched away from this young soldier, my thoughts are with his family and friends! We should all unite in this tragedy and grab any opportunity or experience with both hands as Lee and many others don't have the luxury of life anymore, those that have need to value every second"

Guest speakers include;

Rev Dr Darrell Hannah - All Saints, Ascot (expert on the early church).
Jas Uppal - Free Sarabjit Singh Campaign.
Ronnie Bindra - Baha’i community of Greenwich

Usama Hasan - Senior Researcher Islamic Studies,  Quilliam Foundation.
Samina Rehmat - Urdu Poet and columnist for the "Jang" and "UK Times"(Muslim)
Ranbir Singh - Hindu Human Rights Group
Dr Martin Stern - Nazi Holocaust Survivor and former Medical student at Peshawar University.
Upkar Rai - British Sikh Council.
Kazim Hafeez - Ex Muslim extremist and pro-Israel advocate.
Muyiwa Olarewaju - Station Director Premier Gospel, Presenter Worship Tonight, Gospel Tonight.
Pastor Tokunbo Bankole - RCCG City Of David Church, Woolwich.
Danny O'Brien - Anti-knife UK

Performances from:

·         Ooberfuse Woolwich based Electropop band

·         Davina Hall – Breast Cancer Survivor

·      Desired Effect - featuring Dav Singh radio presenter for Luv Asia and featured artist on BBC Asia Network
.    The Angels Choir - RCCG City of David Church, Woolwich.

For more information please contact Wilson Chowdhry on 020 8514 0861 e: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk .

Three Christian women beaten, tortured and made Publicly nude over a row about goats!

Mushtaq Gill shares another torture report regarding poor Christians in Kasur: 

Over a  trivial matter three Christian women Arshad Bibi ,Sajida and Saruyia were beatened by armed Muslims, who entered where  they were sleeping in their house at around 11pm.  Unfortunately no man of the house was present except one 73 years old man Sadiq Masih and his wife Bibi Rani 70 years old.

The  Muslim landlords of the village Sereser Chak No.21  Abrahim,Muhammad Rafique ,Munir, Ahmad, Asif, Ahmad, Abid, Usman, Waseem, Waqas and Shabir and three unknown men, beat the women and took them out of the house to display their nakedness publicly.   No onlooker showed enoughcourage to save them from their torture.

Local victim Shoukat Masih said;

"A few days ago some of our goats entered the fields of the accused Muslim landlords.  The Muslim men captured and retained them.  I went to get them back and said 'give back my goats' but they refused, and hurled abusing words at me.  I was  slapped many times on my cheeks in front of many people, I was able to return back home after this."

Boota Masih said;

"On 2nd June, the landlords blocked the way of my brother Shoukat Masih when he was travelling to work, they exchanged angry words between ecah other, which resulted in Shoukat being told that being Christian how  dare he speak in a loud voice with them.  They then went to our house and  beat, tortured and made naked our women, while we were at work.  They also tortured our 73 year old father and wounded his one leg"

Shoukat Masih added;

"On 3rd June during the morning we made contact with Rev.Saleem Gill DS Pattoki Church of Pakistan.  He took us to Pattoki Police station.  The officer in charge refused to hear our request and rejected our complaint completetly".  He further added; "That evening some police officials also raided our house along with the Muslim Landlords.  Together they threatened to involve us in a criminal case."

The following Morning Rev.Saleem Gill made a request to Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, National Director LEAD to provide legal aid to the family.

Mustaq Gill visited the village and has met the family.  Information regarding the case has been forwarded to the Detective Superintendent of Pattoki, who has now registered an FIR against the accused landlords who beat and made publicly naked the Christian women.

FIR No.231/13 has been registered against the alleged Muslims perpetrators at Police Station Sadar Pattoki under Sections 452,354,337/FI,149,148 of PPC.

The accused Muslim men are now threatening the Christian family  with a counter claim.  It is believed their is  Police connivance.  Police have now also registered FIR No.234/13 under Sections 440,379,148,149 of PPC against the victims, to pressurise the Christian family into a compromise.

Other Christians in the area have advised Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill that they are also being victimised and mistreated, by the same perpetrators.

Supporting Non State Actors A Great Threat to International State System

Supporting Non State Actors

A Great Threat to International State System

(A South Asian Regional Perspective)

By

Mr.Kamran James

Assistant Professor and Head

Department of Political science

Forman Christian College

(A Chartered University)

Lahore

Dated: 10^th Feb, 2013

  its true that in “International relations there is no permanent friend or enemy only national interests are supreme”.    

But in international state system it is equally important that states should always use appropriate, internationally recognized, acceptable tools, tactics and strategies to achieve their national interests, national objectives or goals. Their actions or steps must be, justified or legitimate in accordance with international law or international organizations. 

But unfortunately the history shows us that states have flaunted others sovereignty in the name of their own national interests or ideologies. Not only the non state actors but some times the attitude, behavior and acts of independent and sovereign states supports or promotes the non state actors agenda which most of time destabilizes regional security and international peace and order of nation state system.   

Although international Law and international organizations like UNO have already defined the level of interaction of states with non state entities.  But   even If we look in to the history we can prove that states always preferred to safeguard and promote their national interests and can do every thing to achieve their own national objectives. They even do not hesitate to support non state actors, armed groups, militias or militant organizations as well.

Some times these  militant groups  becomes so power that they starts dictating the organize  state   machinery on domestic (spreading hatred through educational Institutions) and on  foreign policy levels undermining institutions rather high jacking state institutions so as to  promote their own agenda based on terrorism ,extremism and fundamentalism

 But such a kind of strategy or behavior is a threat to international state system and such  kind of policy is not acceptable in international relations and is against the international law because it has  dangerous and  long term consequences which the present world is facing.  

Supporting non state actors (militants groups) against an organized UNO member state will not even serve a national interest of any state and will not serve the long term interests of a nation state.

 An important aspect over here is that Nation states should not   it self disturb international political order or should not be a destabilizing factor towards regional security or international peace because it will lead the international state system towards mutual destruction or collateral damage.

As a case study in South Asian regional perspective strong modern democratic India and Pakistan is in the best interest of both neighboring nuclear states and it will lead south Asian region towards economic development and regional stability.

A question arises here, Is it necessary for states to respect each others sovereignty or to undermine each others sovereignty in the name of National Interest or self determination? Or National interest is more important than international Peace and security? Is this appropriate or acceptable in international relations that states should support non state actors (militant groups, armed groups, or rebel groups) in the name of Ideological differences, national interests, goals or policies?

This is very much true that some times in the name of right of self determination states do prefer to support non state actors  which some times closed the way for a constructive, vital and a positive dialogue between the two or more rival states and it further destabilizes regional stability and international peace and order. Some times   it further paves the way for an conventional armed conflict in case of 1965, 1971, 1999 wars in South Asia between Pakistan and India.

No doubt, UNO and other international organizations are contributing a lot in promoting international peace and security but at the same time sever human rights violations in various parts of the world especially in South Asia is a great challenge for international community ,UNO and other international organizations.  

In the back drop of South Asian regional perspective countries, India and Pakistan should also seriously need to review the Liaquat- Nehru Pact of 1953 to further improve the human rights and minority conditions in their respective territorial jurisdictions to further avoid any distress between the two nuclear states.

For the last sixty years India is blaming Pakistan for supporting armed militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir and in Indian Punjab. India is also blaming Pakistan for Bombay attacks.  Pakistan is also blaming India for supporting various armed groups in Balochistan likewise it is believed that there is an involvement of RAW behind the various terrorist bomb explosions in the different Parts of Pakistan.

Pakistan also holds India responsible for 1971 crisis of East Pakistan and its separation from West Pakistan. A few researchers and analysts are even blaming India for targeting Karachi Naval Base.

Although former President Pervaiz Musharaf in his state television broadcast has   banned almost all the militant groups in Pakistan but India still considers few of extremist groups are active or operative on Pakistani Soil. 

Although India and Pakistan have a long out standing disputes  like sir creek, sia-chen glaciers, water dispute and a core issue of Kashmir yet to be settled. but  Now after 9/11, 7/11, Madrid attacks and Bombay attacks  India and Pakistan should come close to each other and should initiate a dialogue addressing  “TERRORISM AND EXTERIMISM”. Both countries have to find the ways how they can help, assist, guide or advise in sharing intelligence and how they can evolve a COUNTER TERRORISM MACHANISM OR INTELLEGENCE LED OPERATIONS in South Asia which can ensure their sovereign, independent status as the members of the UNO.  

Now its time for both India and Pakistan to sincerely engage each other for a Positive, constructive and meaningful dialogue which leads both nations towards the solution of all the outstanding issues including the core issue of KASHMIR which is the bone of contention for both the nations for more than 65 years.

Both countries, India and Pakistan should in-depth realize very seriously and sincerely that extremists or fundamentalists can not serve the national interests of India and Pakistan and they are their common enemies and both countries will not let their air space or maritime belts or grounds to be used against each other by extremists or separatist groups. Now both nations should not let militants take over a peace process between the two nuclear states of south Asia.

India must realize that Strong, Prosperous, modern, democratic and liberal Pakistan is surely in the best interest of it and to rest of the world. So blame game will not serve the interests of both the nuclear states in the region. Both Nations must realize friendly ties in changing international scenario especially after 9/11. Now there must be a sense of realization on both sides that various non state actors are now the biggest threat to the International State system.

No doubt Terrorist are the biggest threat to the international state system. Terrorists are using guerrilla tactics to paralyze the state machinery. They are targeting important strategic assets of states and challenging the state machinery and even planning and dreaming of over throwing the current regimes of the modern state system having modern liberal democracies. Even they are threatening the world with nuclear Attacks.    

Nation states having nuclear arms instead of funding or training various so called “friendly armed militant groups” or separatist groups to fulfill their own so called national agendas, should use diplomatic channels to normalize their relations and to promote regional and international peace and security.  Otherwise they will lead the civilized world towards complete destruction.

One of the root causes of international terrorism and extremism is poverty injustice, economic disparities and swear human rights violations in various parts of the world. Now after 9/11 reconstruction and redesigning of international organizations especially UNO is very vital for the solution of long standing issues like Kashmir and Palestine.

In south Asian Regional perspective the role of United States as a modern democratic state is very important to facilitate and support a dialogue process between the two nuclear states India and Pakistan.  But at the same time united state can  not impose or Purpose any solution for the long standing issues like Kashmir, siachen and sir creek. 

Instead of using various militant groups to achieve national objectives or policy goals or objectives, states should find out the alternative means (diplomatic channels) to settle the disputes with each other instead of supporting non state actors or launching conventional wars which may leads towards unconventional arms conflict in various parts of the world.  

Now nation states should decide that in future either the legitimate recognized states (International state System) should be more powerful or terrorists, extremists or militant groups should be more powerful? In any case the terrorist organizations or militant groups or non state identities should not replace international state system or nation state system

This is very much true that after 9/11, 7/11,Madrid attacks and Bombay attacks  international terrorist organizations are challenging the authority and legitimacy  of Nation states and using gorilla war tactics against an organize International state system  because they can not launch a conventional war against regular organize standing army  of recognized international state system. These militant groups or organizations are a serious threat to international peace and security.  But surely they should not be successful in replacing international state system.

Now states should decide in the best interest of international peace and stability of this world that they should   not in any circumstances support extremists groups for gaining their short or long term objectives or aims.

Otherwise in long term these non state actors will continue be a great threat and will be continuously destabilizing factor for international state system recognized by international community, UNO and various other regional and  international organizations  

In south Asian regional perspective the serious responsibility lies with two neighboring nuclear states, India and Pakistan to respect each others territorial borders, and sovereign statues for   regional stability and for international peace and security. Only India and Pakistan can change the future discourse of south Asia.

(Mr. Kamran James, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University Lahore, Pakistan)

Veena Victoria (RIP) a woman of Faith whose challenge created the BPCA.

Veena Victoria Yousaf the mother of my wife (Juliet Chowdhry director of the British Pakistani Christian Association), passed away yesterday morning at 3am.   

It was a call for action from my Mother-in-law after the incident in Gojra,  that spurred the conversation with my brothers and stirred the formation of the BPCA.  So this woman was significantly important in creating our group which has worked tirelessly for the rights of minorities in Pakistan.

Veena Victoria had been suffering from severe kidney failure and spent the last days of her life in a coma, after a blood clot in her brain.  

Juliet who had travelled to Pakistan last Monday to visit her mother after she fell ill, failed to arrive before the coma and has been shaken by the inability to share those last moments in conversation.  Even then, Juliet feels blessed that God allowed her to be with her mother during her passing away.  Juliet holds some hope that the passionate talks evoked by her mother's condition, will have been heard.

I had provided the telephone number of her brother to a number of churches in Pakistan, as Juliet had taken across some Sunday School material donations across with her for distribution, believing her mother would recover.  We now plead with churches to be patient and  call after a period of time, as our family are going through a very emotional period and simply do not want to be disturbed with such requests, at this sensitive time.

Her brother Haroon is currently unable to travel to Pakistan as he has applied for an Inland extension to his student visa in the UK, so he will miss the funeral and is naturally feeling very distraught.  Please pray for succour for him. 

Please also pray that the Pakistan High Commission in the UK repeals the ban on my travelling to Pakistan, which I have suffered since creating the BPCA and holding a number of protests and other peaceful activities.  I have emailed a request for a meeting with an officer and ask that you pray for a grant of entry and exit, so I can safely attend the funeral to be with my family at this time of sorrow. 

I would very appreciate if you would contact the UK Pakistan High Commission, calling for permission for me to travel to Pakistan. Their contact details can be found here:

http://www.phclondon.org/HC/ContactUs.asp

If you would like to know more on how I was beaten and refused a visa to Pakistan, a full story can be found in this "Catholic Herald" article:

http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/22nd-july-2011/3/pakistani-agents-intimidate-campaigners-family

Fouzia Bibi another Christian rape victim.

Mushtaq Ahmed has sent us this harrowing report on Fouzia Bibi a young Christian girl working as a domestic servant, raped while delivering a jug of milk:

LAHORE:A minor Christian girl named Fouzia Bibi, daughter of Malooka Masih, age 15,a resident of Village Roday, District of Kasur, was brutally raped by her family’s landlord.

On Jan. 25, 2013, at about 6:30 pm, Fouzia Bibi want to bring milk to the landlord from one of his  nearby cattle areas.  When she was going to the landlord with the jug of milk, two Muslims armed with pistols, Sher Muhammad and Shabir , abducted her and imprisoned her in a room.  They forcibly removed her clothes then raped and tortured her one by one.  No one could hear the cries of the minor girl as she was raped and left unconscious.

Yesterday 24 May,2013,at night about 11:30 PM,Malooka Masih called on the cell phone of National Director LEAD Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill and informed him that Police Officer told Masih that the bail petition has been filed in Lahore High Court Lahore the allegedly accused of rape.The Lawyers of LEAD filed power of attorney in the bail and next date of bail hearing is fixed 31 May,2013.

The cousin of Fouzia Bibi, Alam Ashiq who is the only one man who is helping his uncle Malooka Masih in this case,but a few days back the Muslim allegedly accused of rape with help and support of Police officials of Police Station City Muridkey made him arrested in one case which was registered against unknown persons last back six month.Now they are making pressurised to family that they should made compromised with rapist so that the Court will grant bail on the base compromise.Today National Director LEAD with family appeared before DSP Muridkey and told him the reality why the culprits made involved in criminal case.

"There are many examples of such cases in which complainants make pressurised by different tactics including make them involve in criminal cases with the connivance of police so that the compromise can be easy for them".Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gil

Yet Another False Dawn? Election of Nawaz Sharif

Ranbir Singh (Hindu Human Rights Group)
 

On 13 May 2013 Nawaz Sharif claimed electoral victory for his Pakistan Muslim League. Described by Sky News as a centre-right part based upon free market economics this obscures the stark reality. Sharif is a steel magnate who is no doubt is likely to pursue privatisation and deregulation to revive growth of a stagnant economy. Yet what about the stagnant society he has inherited? Indeed one which he helped to create? Sharif was prime minister twice during the 1990s but was ousted in a coup in 1999 by former army chief General Pervez Musharraf. He returned to Pakistan in 2007 after being exiled by Musharraf.

However when we look across the range of parties across the political spectrum is there actually much difference? In fact do they even set the agenda as civil society crumbles? While in terms of electoral success the fringe Islamist parties may not amount to much it was be grave error to write them off as insignificant. Since the inception of Pakistan it is those very forces which have set the tone for the type of society being created. While dismissing elections such as this may come across as rather negative it is important to remember that it is not democracy which has predominated but rather authoritarian tendencies that mitigate against it. With the collapse of civil society this has allowed those nefarious elements to quash any attempts at reviving it. Instead the ‘mainstream’ is dominated by an inflexible boa contractor which stifles all constructive debate. By its very nature it allows the rise of demagogues promising a utopia that can never be reached. While the innocent, powerless and impoverished millions suffer, it is the minorities that suffer the most.

In the latest US Department Report on Religious Freedom released the same month Sharif claimed democratic victory, Pakistan’s minority Ahmadi sect has become the target of rising sectarian violence, with its burial grounds, mosques, and homes coming under assault. The state has done little to protect them. Indeed it refuses them equal status as ‘Muslims’. Equal status? Are not all citizens of a democracy meant to be equal? Well they are not if they deviate from a strict theocratic state creed. While military dictator Zai-ul Haq declared that Ahmaddiya amounted to blasphemy, it was his predecessor (and murder victim) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of the ‘secularist’ and socialist Pakistan People’s Party who caved into fundamentalists demands and declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims. For Christians and Hindus the situation is even more dire. Revd. Riaz Mubarak of St. Luke's Church in Abbottabad, Pakistan, warns us all that as Mr. Nawaz Sharif is going to take oath for his Premiership ,the violence and persecutions will increase in general and specifically for Christian community in Pakistan. Democracy is empty without the democratic institutions and civil society that sustain it. Without those integral elements it becomes nothing more than state sanctioned mob rule and victory for lynch law.