Update on Pakistan Situation
Letter from Veeda Javaid, Executive Director, Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
December 28, 2007
Dear Friends
Pakistan faced another Catastrophic day in its History, Today the daughter of the Nation gave her life for the nation. The most costly price the Bhutto family paid for the restoration of democracy. A leader from the people by the people and for the people sacrificed herself for peace and Justice, for the people of her country. She who had love for the poor, stood against the militants. Most of her education was from Church-run schools in Pakistan (Murree Convent, and Karachi Convent School). She was supporter of minorities, a moderate Muslim, who had learnt core values form her schools.
Today the World Grieves, and the whole of Pakistani nation Mourns.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners were weeping and chanting for justice. They continued to weep and beat their heads and chests.
Benazir's assassination has triggered violence in my country. Enraged people came out from their houses, and started putting on flames each and everything that came before them and soon many cities of Pakistan were burning. Nearly 300 banks were set ablaze, while more than 1,000 vehicles parked in Parking lots were also burnt.
Police tried to control the situation but later gave up their efforts after observing people rage was beyond control. Many of them had no idea what they were doing, damaging their own country.
All shops, business centers, petrol pumps are closed, No Public transportation is available.
The daughter of the East and a strong link with the West will never come back, but will live in the hearts of Millions of people of the World.
This Cowardly act was designed to destabilize the country of Pakistan.
In her last speech on 27th December she said:
We are prepared to Risk our lives, but are not ready to surrender our Great Nation to Militants.
We all at the Presbyterian Education Board so firmly believe Education is the Key to Bring Peace in this Part of the World, Wish there were more church-run schools than Militant Madrases, Wish we had more resources in this country to educate the masses. Wish we can inculcate Values, so that people could understand the difference between right and wrong.
Wish Benazir a BEACON OF HOPE was there to make a difference.
Thank you indeed, dear Friends, for your love and concern for my country, as so many of you have written to us, wanting to know about the safely of the schools and children.
All the schools are closed for Christmas Holidays, and children will be returning back on 2 of January 2008.
Please pray for Pakistan and people of my country, that we all emerge as a strong United Nation after this Odious act.
We desperately need your prayers.
Your Sister in Christ
Veeda Javaid
Executive Director
Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
Appeal for prayer from Victor Azariah, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Pakistan
December 30, 2007
Appeal for Prayer
The Christian community along with the whole Nation is grieved and sad and have no words to express their feelings on the brutal assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party and a renowned personality, politician, state person recognized nationally and internationally and highly respected leader of Pakistan.
The National Council of Churches, on behalf of Pakistani Churches and Christian community, strongly condemned the brutal assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at Liaqat Park Rawalpindi. We pray for the departed soul and pay condolence to the bereaved family, husband, children, mother and sister.
We earnestly appeal and request the national and global communities and specifically churches to pray for the welfare of the State of Pakistan, which is passing through a very difficult period of its history, and encourage the nation to bear such a big loss.
We further expect the global communities to help the Pakistani nation and its government machinery to eradicate the terrorism which is playing havoc with the lives of the innocent people and disturbing the peace of Pakistan and a great hurdle in the restoration of true democracy in Pakistan.
Victor Azariah
General Secretary
NCC-Pakistan
Letter from Veeda Javaid, Executive Director, Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
January 3, 2008
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Thank you for your concern for Pakistan and its people and for your prayers during these days of turmoil, following the assassination of Benazir Bhuttto on the 27th December 2007.
Life in the country is gradually returning to some form of normality, though areas of Sindh, the Bhutto stronghold, is still experiencing problems. Here in Lahore we have returned to the office following the Christmas holidays and our schools have reopened. Yesterday it was announced by the Election Commission that elections, due to be held next week, would be postponed until 18th February 2008. Please pray that elections will take place as scheduled and for peace in the country in the run up to the elections.
Looking back, 2007 has been a year of political instability and strife. The country has experienced the highest ever number of suicide bombings and civil unrest has been greater than in previous years. We pray that 2008 will be a year of greater stability and peace for Pakistan and that democracy will prevail.
We at the Presbyterian Education Board dedicate 2008 to building tolerance, love, peace and brotherhood as we work with children and young people, inculcating Christian values so that they can in turn influence others in all walks of life. We dream of opening more schools in Pakistan as we strongly believe that education is the key for transformation in this society.
At PEB we live on hope, trust and faith; we hope for a better future for the people of Pakistan, we trust in our Lord who alone is able to transform people and situations, and we have faith that God will work out His plans and purposes for each one of us and for the people of Pakistan. May His name be glorified.
In Christ's Service
Veeda Javaid
Executive Director
Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan |
