Pak-Christians in UAE allege "discrimination" at hands of official mission

Dubai, Dec 28 (ANI): The Pakistani-Christian community in the UAE has claimed that it faces discrimination in the country at the hands of the Pakistani mission there, and in the region.

"We are in big numbers in the UAE but we are facing discrimination as there is not even a single Christian teacher appointed in the Pakistani schools being run under the supervision of Pakistani missions here and elsewhere in the Gulf region," Gulf News quoted Rev John Qadir from New Apostolic Church, as saying at the dinner reception for the Pakistani Christian community in the UAE to mark Christmas and the New Year.

He also highlighted the plight of poor Pakistani Christian students, who were often thrown out of their schools for non-payment of fees, and the fact that the destitute Pakistani Christians did not get enough financial and welfare support from the missions and the Pakistani associations.

Speaking at the function, Pakistani Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan said he would direct the board of governors of the Pakistani schools to hire Christian teachers as well.

"I also promise you that no Christian student will be suspended from schools for non-payment of fees," Khan added.

He said the Christian community in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights, and that they were playing an important role in the fields of health care and education in the country.

Pakistani Consul General in Dubai, Tariq Iqbal Somoro, urged the Christian community to contact the mission if they had any issues.

"Apart from appointing Christian teachers in our schools, we will also provide financial support to poor children," he said, adding that he would also ask the Pakistani associations to extend full support to them. (ANI)