Section V.19 - On Pakistan

Resolution V.19

On Pakistan

This Conference notes with deep concern the following resolution of the Church of Pakistan, namely:

"The Church of Pakistan wishes to place before the Lambeth Conference their concern about the deterioration of Christian/Muslim relations ever since the introduction of the Blasphemy Law into the Pakistan Penal Code under Section 295 B and C.

While we affirm

1. our love for Pakistan as our homeland and our good wish for its safety and dignified position among the community of nations;
2. our continued participation in the building of the nation which has been the hallmark of individual Christians and our institutions;
3. our appreciation for Islamic moral values and the commonalities between the two faiths enabling us to live together; We are deeply concerned with the increasing intolerance and call upon the Conference to condemn:
   1. the rise of intolerance towards minorities, especially Christians;
   2. the legal and judicial processes which marginalise minorities and isolate them from the national mainstream, such as the separate electorates."
   and therefore at the Church's request -
   1. calls for
      1. the repeal of the Blasphemy Law (PPC 295 B and C) which is the source of victimization of the minorities in Pakistan;
      2. the release of all prisoners unjustly accused under the Blasphemy Law, such as Ayub Misih; and
      3. the restoration of the rights of minorities as given in the 1973 Constitution;
   2. requests the Anglican Consultative Council to use its good offices to promote and develop harmony between the two major communities in Pakistan.