Sir: It remains a fact that minorities in Pakistan are crippled and damaged under an archaic system. The message of the founder of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, appears to be lost and the continuous hatching of conspiracies by certain elements with vested interests and nefarious designs seems to have prevailed. Mr Jinnah, while addressing the concerns of communities in Pakistan, very clearly said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your churches or to any other place of worship in the state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” Before the elections of 2013, representatives from different political parties have reaffirmed their commitment to religious minorities and have promised to work for a Pakistan where every person, regardless of caste, creed or faith, is treated equally. This was promised in the day long national consultation on ‘Election 2013: Role and Responsibility of the Religious Minorities’ organised by the coalition for the Rights of Minorities (CRM). Earlier, the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) arranged a group discussion called ‘Awam chahtey hain’ (what the masses want) where Romana Bashir, a social activist from the Christian minority, was among the panelists. She demanded a clear policy from the mainstream political parities against hate material in the national syllabus along with anti-human and anti-minority laws. The textbooks authored and altered during the 11 years of General Ziaul Haq’s rule are still being taught in schools. They are decidedly anti-democratic and inclined to dogmatic tirades. Local textbooks teach students that the Hindus (of India) are backward and superstitious, and, given a chance, they will assert their power over the weak, especially Muslims, depriving them of education by pouring molten lead in their ears. “Pakistan Studies textbooks are an active site to represent India as a hostile neighbour,” the report stated. “The story of Pakistan’s past is intentionally written to be distinct from, and often in direct contrast with, interpretations of history found in India.” The report added that students were taught that Islam brought peace, equality and justice to the subcontinent, to check the sinister ways of Hindus. When I went through the constitution of Pakistan, I was shaken to see the constitutional discrimination against minorities. It is also pathetic to know that none of our Pakistani Christian leaders have raised their voice against this. The founder of Pakistan died in September 1948, way before the assembly could make a constitution for the new country. The latter leaders pegged the constitution on Islam, which many describe as a gross violation of the ideal set by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his August 11 speech. Social persecution and legal discrimination against minorities has reached its climax. Nationalising missionary schools and colleges in 1972 was a move by Mr Bhutto, and so persecution started during Bhutto’s regime. Then Ziaul Haq unleashed a wave of persecution in the 1980s. Since then, violence against minorities has never really ceased. Attackers kill and wound in particular Christians and Ahmedis, burning their homes and business. Christians and other minorities expect that the reaffirmation of politicians comes true and Pakistan becomes a country where all citizens are treated equally regardless of caste, creed or faith. The government will have to address the situation at a policy level and take steps to ensure the rights of these communities. Hate speech and the exploitation of the masses under the garb of religion will have to be stopped. A combined effort is required by everyone to bring these communities back into the mainstream Pakistani identity. Their apprehensions should be addressed and they should be treated as equal citizens. This will not only represent Islam’s message of coexistence and peace but will also form an exemplary social structure for the whole world and fulfil the Quaid’s dream of a prosperous and peaceful Pakistani state. SHAMIM MASIH Islamabad