Pakistan Christian Congress Will Boycott 2013 Election

PCC will hold press conferences in different cities to convince the religious minorities to boycott the 2013 Election.

European Union Election Observation Mission Pakistan 2013, met with Ms Ruhama Ambreen Shah, President of the PCC Women's Wing in Lahore, and Sardar Mushtaq Gill, who heads LEAD.

(LAHORE, Pakistan) - The Pakistan Christian Congress (PCC) in Lahore will boycott elections in an effort to draw attention to the violent attacks taking place at Pakistani voting places. Sardar Mushtaq Gill, who heads LEAD (Legal Evangelical Association Development), and Ms Ruhama Ambreen Shah, President of the PCC Women's Wing in Lahore, held a meeting with the European Union Election Observation Mission Pakistan 2013.

In press Conferences and news releases, PCC demanded the right of dual vote and election of minority reserved seats, but the government of Pakistan did not consider PCC's demand.

The Chairman of PCC decided to boycott the 2013 Election for minorities and national interests. Gill says Pakistan is under threat by an extremist mindset.

In the meeting with EU's Election Observer Team, Sardar Mushtaq Gill's ddvocates clearly told the EU Election Observer Team that PCC will Boycott this Election because of a selection system which is unconstitutional and undemocratic.

PCC woman leader Ms. Ruham Shah, told the team that selection is not acceptable and not beneficial for minority interests. The representatives who are selected by their respective parties only represent the needs of those political parties, not of minority groups.

Regarding the security issue, Gill explains that the 2013 election in the Punjab province of Pakistan, saw two Political parties; Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PML (N) and Pakistan Tehreek Insaf PTI led by Imran Khan, being provided full security to hold public gatherings and rallies, while provinces in Sindh, KPK and Balochistan are facing bomb blasts and offering funeral services for families of their workers, which is a very surprising situation. It was disclosed that the security issue is the same for Muslims and other religious minorities of Pakistan.

Mr. Gill asked what the role of the EU team should be in helping meet the demands of PCC i.e Election on minorities reserved seats under dual vote. The EU Election Team said they would published recommendations but they have no right to interfere in Pakistan legislation etc as it is sovereign country. PCC will hold press conferences in different cities and convince the religious minorities to boycott the 2013 Election.