Imran fails to rise up to expectations of Youhanabad Christians

–Christians still struggling for the release of Youhanabad prisoners

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan failed to rise up to the expectations of the Christian community living in Youhanabad, the largest Christian locality in the country, during his visit there on Sunday.

Khan visited Youhanabad as a part of his party’s membership drive in the city where he addressed a little gathering of the Christian community.

Reportedly, Khan did not greet the Christians on the eve of Easter during his visit to Youhanabad and Christian leaders including MPA Shunila Ruth and Youhanabad Union Council Chairman Asif Sohail Khokhar were not allowed to come on stage with Khan.

PPP leader Napoleon Qayyum from Youhanabad criticised Khan for not greeting Christians on eve of the Easter.

“Khan’s visit to Youhanabad was highly disappointing for the community as he did not talk about the plight of the 44 under-trial Christian prisoners of the Youhanabad lynching case who were not being provided medical treatment in jails, leading to the death of two. The Punjab government is a party in the case and he should have criticised the government for lodging a fake case against innocent people. He ignored the issue despite the fact that people had placards in their hands. He should have at least expressed sympathy with them,” he said, adding that Khan did not even talk about the dearth of civic facilities in the area.

According to Napoleon Qayyum, about 200 to 250 people attended the Khan’s address.

“Imran Khan during his visit had rude attitude with the community. He was encircled by his cronies like Mansha Sindhu and Aleem Khan. He did not give space to local leaders Asif Sohail Khokhar and MPA Shunila Ruth. Neither did he talk about the issues faced by the Christians at the national level nor did he talk about the problems faced by dwellers of Youhanabad,” Pakistan Christian Movement leader Riaz Anjum said.

On the other hand, Youhanabad Union Council Chairman Asif Sohail Khokhar refuted rumours that Khan did not greet the Christians on the eve of Easter during his visit to Youhanabad. He also rejected that he, MPA Shunila Ruth and other Christian leaders were not given space to stand with Khan on the stage.

“I stayed with Khan during his whole speech. It is wrong to say that I was manhandled. Khan talked about the plight of under-trial prisoners in a veiled manner which suits a politician. He talked about cases that were registered against him. He gave indirect reference of the cases registered against Christians. Khan greeted the whole community and cut a cake as well,” he said.

MPA Shunila Ruth too defended Khan and termed his visit as a success, adding that 4000 to 5000 people were in the audience.

“During his speech, Khan talked about making Pakistan as per the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Every Pakistani will have equal rights in Naya Pakistan which will be made according to the vision of Quaid and false cases against innocents Christian prisoners will be quashed,” she said.

According to a press release issued by PTI, Khan, during his visit, greeted the Christian community on the eve of Easter and said that he was happy that he participated in the celebrations of Easter and cut a cake.