'Masihi' instead of 'Esai': AGP directs ministries to execute CII's recommendations
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) has asked the ministries/chief secretaries to implement the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to refer the Christian community as 'Masihi' instead of 'Esai'.
The Supreme Court in its judgment dated May 17, 2015 has directed for implementation of the recommendation of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in letter and spirit.
According to a letter written by Attorney General for Pakistan to secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and chief secretaries of all four provinces, the CII recommendations be fully implemented and arrangement should be made in all official records, documents, and correspondence to refer the Christian community as 'Masihi' instead of 'Esai'.
The letter has been written with reference to the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dated 17.05.2018 in HRC 20171-B/2018 titled 'In the matter regarding non-payment of victims of terrorist attack on church in Quetta on 17.12.2017.'
According to the letter, the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the decision taken by the Council of Islamic Ideology in its 175th meeting held on 28-29 September 2009 that members of the Christian community are to be addressed as 'Masihi' instead of 'Esai'. It was also noted that the implementation of the decisions still requires implementation. To this effect it was directed by the Supreme Court, vide its order dated 11.05.2018 as follows:
"Let the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology be implemented in letter and spirit and arrangement should be made in all official records, documents, correspondence, etc, to refer to the Christian community as Masihi instead of Esai."
Therefore, in furtherance or the SC's observations, it is hereby intimated that the aforesaid directions be complied with in letter and spirit and a compliance report be compiled by all the concerned departments, the letter concluded.
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