Joseph Francis' Presidential Election Campaign

Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan 43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha, Pakistan Call: 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406 Write to: [email protected] www.raysofdevelopment.org

Joseph Francis’ Presidential nomination rejected under article 41(2) Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Pakistan

Christian National Party (PCNP) Chief, Chairman Christian Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS) and Christian Presidential hopeful Mr. Joseph Francis faces awkward situation of rejection of his presidential nomination by the election commission and denial from hearing his writ petition against the election commission’s decision by the Pakistan’s Supreme Court, as Article 41 (2) of Pakistani constitution bars all non-Muslim candidates from running the presidential polls. Apex court directs Francis to go to High Court. But Joseph Francis is determined to challenge the Article 41 in the Supreme Court under Rule 5 of Supreme Court here at Islamabad, Pakistan. Talking to ROD in an exclusive interview PCNP Chief Francis apprized ROD that he can not chalk out the logic that article 25(1) and article 36 of Pakistani law ensure and pledge to protect the equal rights of every citizen of Pakistan, including all the religious minorities, on the other hand, contrary to this, under article 41(2) religious minorities are deprived of the right to run for the presidential polls. Fiery Mr. Joseph Francis with his legal advisor Ms Aneeqa Maria Joseph Francis declared it to be the discernible Discrimination with Pakistani minorities. It is notable that as many as 48 Muslim candidates filed nomination papers at the election commission in Islamabad and its four stations in provincial capitals. The scrutiny of the nomination papers by the Returning Officers would be held on Sept 29 th 2007. While the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers up to 12:00PM on Oct 1st, 2007 and the final list of the candidates would be issued on the same day at 1:00 PM. Mr. Joseph Francis regretted that the Returning Officer turned down his nomination saying ‘you are a non-Muslim, which disqualifies you for the Presidential Polls under article 41(2)’. PCNP Chairman Mr. Joseph Francis asserted that he would go to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to challenge the article 41 (2) which bar minorities from assuming the office of President of Pakistan. He added that a panel of 12 lawyers led by advocate Chaudhary Amean Javed has filed a writ in the Supreme Court, Islamabad against the discriminatory article 41(2).

Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan 43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha, Pakistan Call: 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406 Write to: [email protected] www.raysofdevelopment.org Firm Joseph Francis warned that nation wide protest would be recorded by setting ablaze copies of the Constitution, in case, the apex court of Pakistan denies to rescind this discriminatory article from the country’s constitution. Fiery Francis blasted government for taping his phone calls and scrutinizing his mail. Enraged PCNP chief added that his name has been struck off from the voting list as well. Concerned Francis appealed Christian youth to wake up from the slumber and forge unity in their ranks. He underscored on the need of education. He added that no one can exploit or usurp the rights of an educated new generation of Pakistani Christians.

Report prepared by ROD team including: Jawad Mazhar, Nadeem Samuel, Imran Mazher, Khadijah Shah, Adil Naseem, Ashir Emmanuel, Adnan Saeed, Ceramic Anneal and Zimran Elias.

Report recommended by: Ferhan Mazher (Mr) Chairman of Rays of Development Organization Sargodha Pakistan. www.raysofdevelopment.org 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406 [email protected] , [email protected]

Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan 43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha, Pakistan Call: 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406 Write to: [email protected] www.raysofdevelopment.org