http://www.christiansinpakistan.com/christian-muslim-get-togethers-widely-welcomed/

According to details, the Pontifical Council Bishop supports and appreciates the Christian-Muslim get together in Lahore. Fr. Inayat Bernard said, Such events help us to come close to each other. Bishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM; Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lahore and the member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism met a delegation of around 60 Muslim and Christian guests. This get together was organized by the Council for Inter faith Dialogue (CIFD) at Ambassador Hall Lahore. At this occasion, Bishop Sebastian Shaw said that, Interfaith dialogue is an opportunity to know and appreciate one another. We are like a bouquet with different flowers having their own identity and fragrance.Fr. Pascal Paulus; OP the vice provincial of the Dominicans in Pakistan said, It is a good sign that the Christian denominations are present here to be in solidarity with the Muslim brothers and sisters. We wish Muslims peace and tranquillity and pray for internal peace to promote humanity.Fr. James Chaman OP said that, Such programmes help the Muslim brothers to come close to each other in prayer. It is our ardent wish that God Almighty may shower His grace through the regular prayer and fasting. Pope Francis I sent his message to the whole Muslim world. He has stressed the mutual respect among religions especially Muslims and Christians.Shabnam Nagi, a Muslim Advocate said that, The gathering of today is the proof of oneness between the Christians and Muslims. The recent floods have made thousands of people homeless and they are in a disturbed situation and we do not forget them in this season. We are planning to set up tents and facilitate in the rehabilitation work.Maulana Javed Akbar Saqi said that, As the Christians have extended their hand of brotherhood we shall also continue to show our respect on their religious occasions like Christmas and Easter.Core Commander of Pakistan Army Akbar Naqvi stationed at Lahore Cantt said,I am grateful that I am invited for such a gathering. The founder of Pakistan has given equality to all religions in the country. The supporters and promoters of terrorism in the country cannot be Muslims. These negative activities cannot stop our peace process and living together in a harmonious way.Sohail Raza- youth coordinator of Minhaj-ul-Quran said,To organize programmes are need of the time to promote tolerance and respect among religions. The Christians are number one in population and Muslims are on 2nd number. Faithful of both religions can work together for promotion of unity and understanding among themselves which is essential for world peace.Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap the central Coordinator of Council for Interfaith Dialogue showed appreciation and expressed gratitude to the guests and guaranteed the continuation of, efforts to bring both the religions close to each other will go on. He said, The council makes use of occasions to show respect for other religions especially Muslims. In future the Muslim and Christian members of the council will continue to make efforts in their own capacity for mutual understanding among themselves.

http://www.minhaj.org/english/tid/237/Muslim-Christian-Dialogue-Forum-MCDF.htmlMCDF was established on Monday, November, 9, 1998 to promote religious tolerance between Muslims and Christians so that they could work for the promotion of peace, human rights, and democracy.The forum was set up at a round-table conference, in which Muslims and Christian religious leaders were invited by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.The conference, attended by noted Bishops, fathers and Christians and Muslim religious leaders, through a unanimous resolution demanded Joint electorate system as provided in the constitution, prior to the 8th amendment. Saying the Constitution already provided the supremacy of Quran and Sunnah, the participants of the conference rejected the 15th Amendment Bill.The participants demanded immediate removal of sense of insecurity among the minorities, elimination of discrimination, provision of fundamental rights and an improvement in the status of human rights, provided to all communities of Pakistan. The said positive role of Christians, in establishment of Pakistan and its development, must be acknowledged as the sacrifices offered by them were not less than that of Muslims. For the first time in the countrys history a dialogue was offered from the platform of a majority party, said Samuel Azariah, adding it was a historic day for Pakistan and all its communities. He appealed to all Pakistanis to eliminate discrimination in religious affairs for the prosperity of the country. He said Christians were Pakistanis as Muslims, and deserved equal rights as guaranteed in the Constitution. The conference was chaired by Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and participated by Bishop Bona Vaneer, chairperson Bishop Conference, Hyderabad, Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah, Moderator Bishop Church and Bishop of Raiwind, Arthur James, Group Capt Retd Cecil Chaudhry, Kanwal Feroze, Joseph Francis, general secretary, Pakistan Christian Party, Shahaz Bhatti, president Christian Liberation Front, Yunis Rahi Peter Jacob, Father James Channan of Rawalpindi, John Samuel of Diocese Church Faisalabad, Dr. George William, Administrator UCH, Edgar B Ram, Ms Mona Lisa, Rozina Warne, Samson Joseph, and Rega Francis.

An exiting and exhilarating Merry Christmas ceremony was held at Central Secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Lahore today on 27 Dec,2006. The Principal Officer American Consulate Mr. Bryan. D. Hunt graced the occasion as the special guest while Bishop of Multan, Dr Andrew Francis and Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts were the Chief Guests. Sahibzada Hussain Mohy ud Din Qadri member Supreme Council MQI presided over the ceremony. Fathers, Pastors and a large number of Christian brothers also attended the ceremony. The ceremony was organized by the Muslim Christian Dialogue Forum of the MQI.Secretary General Pakistan Awami Tehreek Anwaar Akhtar Advocate extended warm welcome to the guests and conducted the ceremony as a compare.The happy Christmas ceremony commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran and Bible followed by Na'at-e-Rasul (on him be peace) and Christmas song. The honorable guests cut the Christmas Cake and lit the peace candles.In its continued efforts to bring unity among followers of different faiths, Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) has an annual interfaith program at the time of Christmas at its central headquarters in Lahore. This year again the local Christian community was invited to celebrate Christmas at the MQI secretariat with their Muslim friends. Another great aim of this annual event is to show to the Christian minority of Pakistan and the wider Christian community, the true moderate face of Islam and to wash away misconceptions propped up by extremists who claim to represent the true Islam.This event took place on the 27th of December 2007. The chief guest was Mr. Brain De Hunt, Principal officer American Consulate Lahore. Other guests included priests Marqas Fida and Chaman Sardar together with many other representatives from the Christian community.The program began by recitations from the Holy Quran and Holy Bible. Brig. (r) Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Deputy Ameer Minhaj-ul-Quran International, made the introductory remarks.

PPCDescriptionPenalty

298Uttering of any word or making any sound or making any gesture or placing of any object in the sight with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person.1 years imprisonment, or fine, or both

298AUse of derogatory remarks etc., in respect of holy personages. 19803 years imprisonment, or fine, or both

298B(Ahmadi blasphemy law) Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles etc., reserved for certain holy personages or places, by Ahmadis. 26 April 19843 years imprisonment and fine

298C(Ahmadi blasphemy law) Aka Ordinance XX: An Ahmadi, calling himself a Muslim, or preaching or propagating his faith, or "in any manner whatsoever" outraging the religious feelings of Muslims, or posing himself as a Muslim. 26 April 19843 years imprisonment and fine

295Injuring or defiling places of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any classUp to 2 years imprisonment or fine, or both

295ADeliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. 1927Up to 10 years imprisonment, or fine, or both

295BDefiling, etc., of Quran. 1982Imprisonment for life

295CUse of derogatory remarks, spoken, written, directly or indirectly, etc. defiles the name of Muhammad. 1986Mandatory Death and fine (Feb. 1990) Trial must take place in a Court of Session with a Muslim judge presiding.