Pakistani Christians reject US aid, demand justice

Gojra Christians in Pakistan, the victims of the recent attacks by Islamic militants have rejected U.S. aid, and instead demanded that case registered against 129 of them be withdrawn first and justice restored.

The U.S. Aid officials, accompanied by selected Member of Parliament among Pakistani Christians came to Gojra on 5 October, to monitor the distribution of goods and cash among the victims of Gojra violence. But they were greeted with a word of protest from Gojra Christians, according to Pakistan Christian Post (PCP).

A huge gathering of Christians at St. Albert Church in Gojra on 5 October at around 4 p.m. greeted the officials by raising slogans against them saying, "We do not need aid but we need justice, protection and equal rights." They even tossed aid boxes, the report said.

On August 1, a Muslims mob attack Christians in Gojra, after rumours spread that pages of the Koran had been ripped up at a Christian wedding. Seven Christians were killed during the attack, and four more were gunned down following the violence; over 60 Christian homes were burnt. The incident draws condemnation from the international community and Christians around the world.

However, the police of Gojra registered cases against 129 Christians to conspire violence on August 1, 2009. The cases were also registered against Muslims but all were released on bail by Lahore High Court, PCP stated.

Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress (PCC) condemned government of Pakistan to register false cases to conspire violence against 129 Christians and demanded immediate withdrawal.

"Christians shall socially boycott selected Christians in Punjab government and Federal government if fabricated cases are not withdrawn against Christians of Gojra," said Nazir Bhatti

Bhatti urged Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities and Kamran Michael, Minister in Punjab government to use their powers to withdraw false cases against Christians of Gojra or to face social boycott.

"Repeal blasphemy law to end violence against Christians in Pakistan" demanded Nazir Bhatti.

Meanwhile, Almas Hameed who lost his wife, two children, father, brother, sister-in-law and her mother in the attack, said he still faces death threats.

Showing the photos of his beloved ones, he said, "We are not safe here, we are hiding from extremists who want to eliminate us from this town..

"We are still receiving calls from the extremists, they frequently give us death threats," he was quoted as saying by Agence-French Press on October 7.

Christians have been demanding the repeal of blasphemy law that has been misused to instigate an attack on the minority Christians in the country.