The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd Michael Nazir-Ali, has called for a wide ranging review of the democratic process in Pakistan, with special attention to the rights and needs of minorities.

In a speech to the House of Lords on 19th January, Dr Nazir-Ali spoke out on the future of Pakistan, calling on the country's new leaders to promote open and accountable government. Such a move, he believed, would help bring about equality for all of Pakistan's minorities, both ethnic and religious.

At the start of his speech, Bishop Michael referred to the foundation of Pakistan in 1947, and the determination of Mohammed Ali Jinnah that minorities in the newly created state should not feel oppressed in the way that Muslims had felt oppressed up to that time.

"I want to see a unified electoral system, a truly independent judiciary, an effective and fair fiscal policy, a well regulated banking system and impartial ombudsmen," said Bishop Michael, who also called for Pakistan's leaders to work for equality in other areas of life, including education, public services, employment and the law.

"Such initiatives should not be seen as un-Islamic," said Dr Nazir-Ali, calling for a return to the original 1973 Constitution. "This Constitution had the support of all the people of Pakistan."

The Bishop criticised the current blasphemy law as profoundly un-Islamic. He acknowledged that incitement to religious hatred must be prevented by law, suggesting a law against insulting the founders of major religions. This would still maintain the freedom to criticise religions and religious belief.

Bishop Michael ended his speech by quoting from Allama Muhammad Iqbal: "'Thought of home has become a sadness without cause, sometimes an ache for beauty, sometimes an ardent desire for the unattainable.' May it not be so."

Item from: Diocese of Rochester