Christian Community in Jaranwala Urges Political Engagement Amidst Election Worries

News Desk

In the wake of the August 16th attacks in Jaranwala, Punjab, Pakistan, where more than 24 churches and over 100 houses were destroyed, the Christian community, comprising approximately 15,000 voters, continues to face challenges. Despite initial support, including donations and government pledges, concerns linger as the caretaker government’s capacity for long-term assistance remains limited.

With a total population of around 900,000 in Jaranwala district, including approximately 500,000 registered voters, the Christian community feels neglected and isolated as mainstream political parties largely ignore their grievances during election campaigns.

The significant Christian voter base, with over 5,000 voters in some constituencies and nearly 15,000 across the district, has not attracted the attention of major political parties.

Shamoun Alfred, a human rights defender, points out the reluctance of political leaders to associate with the victims due to fears of backlash from hardliner religious groups and loss of majority voters.

Pointing at the sense of embarrassment for political leaders for not providing earlier assistance to victims during and after attacks, as one of the reasons. This neglect raises concerns of prolonged marginalization and vulnerability for the affected community, he added

Javed Mattu, a local political leader, also highlights the absence of interest from major political parties despite the sizable Christian voter base. He notes a shift in social discourse against Christians following the attacks, further marginalizing them politically.

Javed Masih, a former minority’s councilor of Jaranwala, emphasizes the lack of election activities in Christian colonies compared to previous years in elections. He stressed upon government intervention to normalise and harmonize the social discourse. Javed, emphasis on the need for dialogue between political and religious leadership to rebuild interfaith harmony.

Jansen Joseph, Human Rights Activists, criticizes the current electoral system for religious minorities, which he believes undermines their representation and perpetuates political disempowerment. He calls for greater autonomy for minority candidates in choosing their representatives to effectively advocate for community issues.

Joseph, also underscores the community’s struggle with social boycott and deprivation, urging political parties to actively engage with the community and address their concerns.

Advocate Akmal Bhatti, Chairman of the Minority Alliance Pakistan, stresses the importance of documenting instances of neglect and advocating for political rights through legal channels.

Akmal, encourages the Christian community to exercise their constitutional right to vote in the upcoming elections.

As the elections approach, the persecuted Christian community in Jaranwala remains hopeful for political recognition and support to rebuild their lives and restore harmony in the region.