Pakistan Christians face discrimination in relief camps

Nearly 400,000 civilians have fled the fighting between the government and Taliban in Pakistan's northwest region.

As the new influx of civilians continue to flood camps and relief efforts have been in full swing, hundreds of thousands of Christians allege discrimination at the hands of local authorities.

According to a Christian source, government-designated staffs at relief camps are denying permission to Christians who are facing social ostracism, threats and abuse.

Pakistan Christian Congress Chief Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, said registration process for Christians, Sikhs and Hindus in relief camps has been harsh and he called upon the Federal Minority Ministry to set up separate camps.

Quoting a displaced Christian, Yousaf Masih, Bhatti said, "The staff on registration duty appointed by government is not permitting them in camps on a plea that Muslim displaced families cannot share food made for them which is prepared and distributed by them."

According to Yousaf, Christians have been asked to set up separate tents and disjointedly prepare food.

Yousuf after failing to access any relief camps with five other families finally ended in a relative's house in Peshawar. The Christian explained that it was even difficult to talk to UN representatives due to the language barrier.

Further, there are hundreds of Christian families in Mangora city, he says, who are unable to flee due to expensive transport and erratic bus services.

These instances, however, is of no surprise as the Christian population in Pakistan have been undergoing severe persecution in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, who routinely kidnap Christian girls, force conversion and sometimes burn their homes.

Bhatti has demanded that government make special arrangements to evict Christians from Swat valley and set up camps for them. According to him, there are over five hundred thousand Christians in NWFP who are facing hardships and abuse.

He said Pakistan Christians fully support the military offensive against the Taliban extremism.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee chief on Monday called for international aid for displaced people fleeing the fighting.

"This is a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency which is going to require considerable resources beyond those that currently exist in the region," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said.

"I call on the international community to support the overall humanitarian effort on behalf of displaced Pakistanis," he added in a statement.

The U.S. has announced $4.9 million worth of aid for the refugees.