16th January 2015

PAKISTANI CITIZENS CHARTER OF DEMANDS

The horrific attack on Peshawar Army Public School and College was yet another tragic
incident in a series of terrorist attacks that have taken the lives of over 50,000 innocent
Pakistanis - men, women and children from every section of society - over the past
eleven years. These losses in our home country Pakistan are over and above the
numbers that are lost on a daily basis to persecution on the basis of religion, sectarian
killings and as a result of hate speeches. This is in addition to the cases of forced
conversion and forced marriages, many of which remain unreported, and the constant
violation of the rights of citizens targeted for their religious beliefs.
We, members of the civil society of Pakistan, not affiliated, nor having any association
with any specific state institution, sect or religion, media group, security agency,
political party, local or international non-governmental organization, have come
together as law-abiding ordinary citizens of Pakistan. For the furthering the
enforcement of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, effective implementation of the writ
of State and the protection of the citizens of Pakistan, we put forth the following
demands for immediate consideration and action by the Prime Minister of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, and all concerned authorities and stakeholders:
1. That the FIR No 569/14, registered by ordinary citizens of Pakistan, against the rogue
cleric Abdul Aziz for criminal intimidation and threatening grievous bodily harm to
peaceful protestors is acted upon in full letter and spirit by Islamabad Police in
accordance with law. That he be also booked under the Anti Terrorism Act 1997 for
trying to coerce, intimidate and overawe the protestors and for attempting to stir
sectarian violence by trying to give the protest a sectarian colour.
2. That the state should ensure that leaders of all communities, sects and minorities,
especially those most affected by terrorism on a regular basis are made an integral part
of any process related to developing any national counter-terrorism and anti-extremist
measures / policies of Pakistan. Furthermore, all State institutions, political parties and
religious councils / bodies, must adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards any terrorist
elements/ groups and individuals, any activity that encourages hatred towards
minorities and religious sects in the country; those who identify with such elements
must be removed from their ranks and relieved from their offices, if any, and if
applicable, legal action against them must be taken.
3. That the state ensures protection of the people, work forces and communities facing
the brunt of violence in the name of religion, such as the Lady Health Workers involved

16th January 2015

in the Polio eradication campaign. The State, in order to do so, must immediately crack
down on all clerics who give statements and declarations against Polio and health
workers.
4. That the State should protect the citizens of Pakistan against hate speech and misuse
of the blasphemy law by starting an immediate crackdown on all Clerics and militant
groups involved in spreading Takfirism (declaring others as non-Muslim).
5. That the Government immediately ensure strict compliance of all electronic media
outlets with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Code of
Conduct, ensuring: no airtime to any terrorist outfit or their supporters and apologists.

no encouragement to any violation of minority rights in any way

denouncement of any form of hate speech against any community regardless of

their religious persuasion or ethnic identity

no encouragement to forced marriages and forced conversions

Similar regulatory mechanisms should be made effective immediately for print media
through concerned authorities in consultation with working journalists and editors. The
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should be notified on urgent basis to
start tracking all websites, social media profiles, forums, and any other virtual / digital
presence that promote religious and sectarian extremism, hatred or killing, forced
marriages-forced conversions; and immediately act to bar / ban the same.
6. That the state, in coordination with Aalamia Ittehaad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris Deeni
(ITMD) and other religious councils monitor all sermons delivered in mosques /
madrassas throughout Pakistan, and adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards any kind
of hate speech/ incitement or promotion of extremist ideologies and take legal action
under applicable provisions of PPC and anti-terrorism laws where necessary.
Furthermore, we demand that the Interior Ministry fast-track its on-going efforts for
madrassa reforms.
7. In memory of the fallen students and teachers of the Army Public School and College,
Peshawar, all ghost schools across Pakistan be reopened. Ghost-teachers must be
penalized or legally forced to perform their duties. All standards of quality as set out by
state authorities must be maintained. Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan (The
right to education) must be implemented in letter and spirit.
As concerned citizens, we pledge our support to all stakeholders including the
Government of Pakistan, for the implementation of our demands.