Message of the CCA GS to the National Council of Churches in Pakistan

Mr. Victor Azariah
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Pakistan

November 9, 2007

Dear Mr. Azariah,

On behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia I write this message to express our concern and dismay on the events taking place in your country. We have been monitoring the events in Pakistan for sometime, and watching carefully how the political leadership in your country was addressing issues related to security, rule of law, democracy and freedom and justice amidst the growing threat and violence to the very fabric of your society. But, we were shocked and saddened when your President declared emergency and took away the limited space of freedom your people enjoyed and cherished even in the midst of many hardships and violence.

We believe the answer to the destructive forces you face as a nation from within and outside the country is not a dictatorship and the denial of freedom and suspension of democratic institutions in your country. We are of the view that such drastic measures become the breeding ground for more violence and for the growth and nurturing of extreme and destructive forces, and to the stifling of democratic forces which are desperately needed at this critical hour to restore law and order in your country. History is a witness that neither dictators nor extremist have been able to govern nations and restore peace and justice to all communities at any given time.

We hope that sanity will prevail in your country and opportunistic politics will not exploit this moment of chaos to bring more chaos and seize power for their own selfish ends. What your country need at this hour of crisis are leaders of honesty, integrity, courage and prudence blended in humility. Therefore, we urge your military leaders to listen to the voices of the people and to the non-violent forces in your country and lift the emergency, and take immediate steps to hold elections to restore democracy and the rule of law in your country. 

We assure you that you are in our prayers, and we pray for those who are committed to the path of peace to restore justice and democracy in your country. 

With peace and blessings,

Yours in Christ,

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary
Christian Conference of Asia