Punjab soup kitchen forbidden to Christians

(July 09, 2010) In Toba Tek Singh in Punjab, Pakistan the local government forbids poor Christians from taking advantage of a meals service because of their faith. This is revealed by a survey Assist News Service, an agency of the Protestant community. Recently, the Punjab government decided to offer a free meal service called "dastar Khwan" for the poor, inviting entrepreneurs and philanthropists of every state to finance the project, built largely with public money. The authorities have opened canteens in different areas and villages in the province where every day from 13.00 to 15:00 lunch is served for poor people at a cost of only 9 cents. The initiative was a success all over the Punjab, but not in the district of Toba TAK Singh where many Christians were prevented from buying the meal token. Four Christian young men went for the meal after paying the necessary money. But while the food was being served, the guard waving the gun, asked them to leave. They were not permitted to make any appeal. Christians and Muslims have joined together to condemn this discrimination. They explained the situation of the district administration, stressing that the concerns of the Christian community are shared by moderate Muslims. In response to the accusations, a district spokesman said that the government has no policy of discrimination toward Christians. The citizens have to resolve problems among themselves. The government only has the task of providing flour subsidies.