Pakistan

Pakistani Christians face relentless inequality and abuse: Youhanabad church reverend

Christ Church Reverend Irshad Ashknaz says Christians in Pakistan have become an easy target of hate and inequality

Web Desk April 08, 2015

Christ Church Reverend Irshad Ashknaz. SCREENGRAB

The wounds of the horrific suicide blasts in two churches of Youhanabad are still fresh. Christ Church Reverend Irshad Ashknaz says Christians in Pakistan are a constant target of hate and inequality.

“We deal with discrimination on a daily basis,” Ashknaz said.

Christ Church in Youhanabad. SCREENGRAB

Ashknaz said that Christians in Pakistan are discriminated on the basis of their religion and hence are denied jobs all over the country.

Related: Toned down - No festivity in Youhanabad bazaars

“Hate is spread against us. When people are faced with relentless inequality and abuse, they finally let their emotions go. That is probably what took over the mob on the day of the attacks,” he said.

Meerab, the 15-year-old girl whose father bravely gave his life while attempting to stop the suicide bomber to enter into the church said that she was extremely proud of him.

15-year-old Meerab Afzal. SCREENGRAB

“It’s really strange to be at church without him,” she said.

Related: Due process - Relatives of Youhanabad protesters held to ‘trace lynch mob’

“I’m proud of him because he saved a lot of lives, but I miss him every day,” she added.

A 21-year-old Christian girl, Sataish Samuel from the Christian community in Lahore said that she loves Pakistan but is unsure about her future here.

21-year-old Sataish Samuel. SCREENGRAB

“I love my country, and I want to be a part of its prosperity, but I don’t think that will be possible,” Sataish said.

The video of the interviews originally appeared on BBC News.

COMMENTS (5)

Buddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Bewildered: Can you answer this question? How many minority communities have been bombed in the so called Christian West v/s the atrocities against the minority communities in the East, including our beloved country? The basis on which the sub-continent was divided in 1947 under the vision of Mr. Jinnah has been compromised from its outset. Considering this premise the division should never have taken place.

Hanif | 9 years ago | Reply I do not agree to this statement that Christians are not given jobs because of their religions and I am really surprised that this guy has stated such a comment. This is a sheer publicity stunt. Christians or any other minority in Pakistan have equal rights and from my own experience of past 10 years I have seen number of people in organizations that have been hired irrespective of their religions. In fact I myself have hired people from other religions and this does not even count. This is appalling to say the least that the western media is trying every bit to defame Pakistan with this minority challenge now.

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woody | 9 years ago | Reply @Bewildered:

Christians from the West are given VVIP treatment in Pakistan.

Maybe you can explain why people from the West seem to avoid Pakistan? . I doubt you have spent anytime in the USA - it's a society that is based on many races and religions and the Law of the Land makes it illegal to discriminate based on either. Pakistan Christians don't deserve to be discriminated against -- and for your information their "social status" is based on that discrimination.

Trotsky | 9 years ago | Reply Whenever religion is allowed a free hand in society, oppression, discrimination and violence will inevitably follow. A country and society run only on religious line will explode like a pressure cooker. This is an iron rule of history. The sooner we push religion out of the public and into the private sphere, the better it will be for Pakistan's future.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply Christians from the West are given VVIP treatment in Pakistan. Even they can kill Pakistanis with impunity (Raymod Davis for example). So the truth is, it is not their Christian religion, but their social status that make them suffer like every other Pakistani Muslim of the same social status. This is the truth and should be told as such.

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