by Qaiser Felix

In a statement issued at the conclusion of an extraordinary meeting of the Pakistani Bishops Conference, the prelates invite Christians to pray God “grant wisdom to those who have to make vital decisions”. The Archbishop of Lahore “joyfully” welcomes the elected president’s removal of his uniform.

Lahore (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Bishops of Pakistan have “observed with deep concern that the situation after the imposition of emergency on November 3rd has worried Pakistanis, at home and abroad, about the stability and peaceful transition of democracy”. Moreover it is “a very bad sign for all of us that peaceful gatherings of Lawyers and Human Rights activists were disrupted with brute force and also the media was suppressed as never before”. This is the content of a document published at the conclusion of an extraordinary sitting of the Pakistan Bishops Conference, which analysed the current situation in the country and the growing militarisation of the central and northern areas of the nation, a sign of instability and fear.

In the text the prelates invite “all Christians to pray to God almighty to give wisdom to decision makers who are expected to steer the nation out of this multiple crisis. To achieve a meaningful, stable and sustainable democracy, the government should make efforts for a national reconciliation among the political parties and civil society must be allowed to play their role at all levels for building a consensus on the issues of vital importance including the challenge to build inter-religious and inter-sectarian peace and harmony for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan”.

In the meantime Musharraf today confirmed that he will “hand over the charge of the army chief to Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani”, who should take control within the next two days.  Speaking to AsiaNews, Archbishop of Lahore msgr. Lawrence Saldanha said: “We welcome the Musharraf’s decision to be a civilian President of Pakistan and it is right decision”. The decision in fact, “will put an end to the fears of a new dictatorship: we all hope that the army will stay out of politics in Pakistan, so that the country can regain true democracy”.

• pakistan
• bishops
• conference
• musharraf
• democracy
• prayers
• peace
• army