Pakistan Minorities ‘forgotten’ in constitution amendment

(April 14, 2010) In Pakistan, Church leaders say a recent constitutional amendment brings no benefits to religious minorities in the predominantly Muslim nation. The constitutional reforms committee has ignored our recommendations stated in a letter sent [Oct. 30] last year; religious tolerance was not addressed at all,” Peter Jacob, executive secretary of Pakistan Christian Action Forum (PCAF), told UCA News. “The prejudices are in fact strengthened, as the amendment package reiterated that only a Muslim could qualify for the office of prime minister.”
PCAF comprises five mainstream Churches in Pakistan including the Catholic Church. The 18th Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly on April 8. The bill is presently being deliberated by the Senate and will be sent to the president for his approval. It proposes the removal of some amendments made by late president and military dictator Muhammad Zia ul-Haq, including the removal of his name from the constitution. PCAF, in a recent press statement stated, “We have longstanding grievances and serious reservations on the numerous articles in the constitution that discriminate among citizens on the basis of religion and make religious minorities second class citizens.”
According to the Catholic bishops’ National Commission for Justice and Peace, 809 people have been charged under the country’s blasphemy laws between 1986 and 2010. These comprised 349 Muslims, 319 Ahmadis, who belong to a sect that many Muslims consider heretical, 121 Christians and 20 Hindus.