Seven Christian families living in Kasur, Pakistan have been left homeless after several Muslims bulldozed their homes.
The Muslim men, identified as Shahid Khan, Jaffar Ali, Zafar Iqbal and Munir Bhatti made the Christian families leave their homes by showing them forged documents, allegedly created with the help of the Local Patwari, or the appointed village accountant, according to the British Pakistani Christians Association (BPCA). The Muslim men also threatened to kill them or implicate them in local crimes.
Those who lost their homes were named by the BPCA as Rafique Masih, Shangara Masih, Farzana Bibi, Iruma Bibi Bagh Masih, William Masih, Samar Masih, and Gama Bibi.
The Christian families were forced to watch and do nothing as the land-grabbers threw away their belongings to the streets. They gave the Christian families the impossible choice of returning to their homes only if they renounce their faith and convert to Islam.
The BPCA expressed concern that the families are in danger, especially during the harsh winter season. "They are living out in the open desperately need good accommodation. Christian neighbours are living in terror as they have received similar hate messages and threats and fear that they will be the next victims," it said.
"Inevitably Christians faced with the consequences of torture, rape of their wives and daughters, potential death or murder of a loved one, give up their property trusting God for their survival. The ease within which property and land is usurped from Christians in Pakistan, is a poor indictment of the Governance in the country," said Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA.
The BPCA has started a fund campaign for the victims of Kasur to buy them blankets and warm clothing, as well as purchase land and conduct a home building programme that will also include clean water pumps and cleaning facilities.
The BPCA also plans to hire a security team to protect the community and ensure that all paperwork for the property is stored at the right offices and registered with the Pakistan High Commission in London.
