LAHORE: The Christian Parliamentarians Forum, a group of Christian MPs, has launched a meeting of Christian MPs from various parties of the Pakistan Parliament to discuss and resolve serious issues faced by Christian communities across the country. The efforts of the Foreman Christian College, Lahore, have resulted in the last twenty years. The forum consists of Christian MPs from four provinces – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The first meeting of the organization after the initial meeting was held in Lahore the following day. Naveen Aamir, a representative of the Pakistan People’s Party in the National Assembly, said that the next meeting, scheduled for February 2020, would approve the outline of the organization’s rules, plans, and political policies. He said the forum would work in cooperation with believers, clergy and social activists. Strong support of Naveen Aamir Jeeva has been instrumental in making the organization a reality.
Peter J. David, director of the Forman Christian College, said it was a dream come true. He added that he had discussed the matter with Shahbaz Bhatti several years ago in 2001 and received favorable responses from other Christian representatives, including Akram Gill, Kamran Michael, and Khalil Tahir Santu. David Peter explained that many serious issues such as discrimination faced by religious minorities in the country, unemployment among Christians, limited educational facilities, lack of Christian representation in the judiciary, and consequences of blasphemy law could be solved.
The hostility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against the Christians has also contributed to the formation of the organization. The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is trying to unjustly take over famous Christian institutions like Edward College in Peshawar. Minister for Religious Minority Rights and Christian MP of the Punjab province Ejaz Alam Augustine said the cooperation and cooperation of Christian MPs would be beneficial for their community.
