LAHORE, Pakistan (UCAN) -- On the first "Minority Day," declared by religious minority communities in Pakistan, Christians demanded fair treatment, repeal of discriminatory laws and religious freedom.

Three separate events in Lahore on Aug. 11, three days ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Pakistan, drew more than 50,000 Christians in all.

The All Pakistan Minority Alliance (APMA) and Pakistan Christian National Party (PCNP) had declared the "Minority Day" and publicized it through advertisements in newspapers, press releases and posters.

Religious and political leaders addressed the events, with Christian leaders stressing the need for unity within their community and with other minorities in the face of increasing religious intolerance and terrorism in the country.

Christians form less than 2 percent of Pakistan's 147 million people, about 95 percent of whom are Muslims.

Security was tight ahead of Independence Day, Aug. 14, due to concerns about possible attacks by suicide bombers and militants, who are blamed for at least 300 deaths in the last two months.

The growth in militancy was highlighted at the Minority Day rally that APMA organized at Minar-e-Pakistan, a national monument in Lahore, 270 kilometers southeast of Islamabad. The estimated 50,000 Christians who took part came from various parts of the country. The monument, a minaret, is where the resolution for the creation of an independent Muslim state was passed seven years before Pakistan's birth with the partition of British India in 1947.

The program began with the reading of religious verses, after which Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh representatives addressed the crowd.

APMA chairperson Shahbaz Bhatti expressed his alarm at the division of the country in the name of religion as he called for a peaceful response to religious militancy.

Bhatti then declared a "charter of demands" on behalf of all religious minorities. It urges the government to enact laws to fight crimes based on religious hatred and to form a "National Commission on Religious Tolerance" to help bridge the gap between the majority and minority communities.

Included among the demands are adequate representation of religious minorities in government, and repeal of blasphemy laws and laws that discriminate against women and minorities. "Islamic Shariah (Shari'a) laws should not be imposed on minorities," the charter concludes.

Christians have long campaigned for equal rights and greater representation for minorities in the government. Minority groups have also voiced concern over denial of equal wages and job opportunities, and they have repeatedly warned that violent Islamic militant groups are gathering strength.

Muslim speakers condemned the burning of churches and mosques by militants. They cited terrorism in the name of religion as the greatest threat to the country.

A politician from the Pakistan People's Party then read a message from Benazir Bhutto, the exiled former prime minister. In the message, Bhutto assured minorities of her party's support.

The PCNP, a Christian political party, organized a Minority Day event at Lahore's Nasir Park in the city.

Church of Pakistan Bishop Samuel Azariah of Raiwind told the crowd of about 1,000 people that "democracy" is the remedy for political unrest. "Justice, tolerance and brotherhood cannot prevail without democracy," he asserted.

He then wished PCNP chairman Joseph Francis success in his announced bid for president, adding that "a lengthy constitutional struggle is needed." Francis announced at a June press conference in Lahore that he would try to contest the election due in the next couple of months.

"The campaign will prove that minorities are denied their constitutional rights," Francis told UCA News. "It is not about winning but about creating awareness," he continued, saying his party would file a petition with the Supreme Court of Pakistan to obtain permission for his candidacy. The Pakistan Constitution stipulates that the president must be a Muslim.

At another event, organized by the Christian Progressive Movement, also a political party, speakers condemned religious intolerance and denial of constitutional rights to the minorities. They urged unity of all Christian political parties and demanded an increase in the number of minority seats in the National Assembly.

About 1,000 people attended the event at the Lahore archdiocesan retreat center.

APMA workers claimed the separate events show division among Christians.

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