10 Pakistani Christians Who Are True Heroes!

The Quaid said in his address to the first constituent assembly of Pakistan on 11th August 1947, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples; free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”

Read: Pakistan’s Forgotten Non-Muslim War Heroes

However, we have seen time and time again, the direct and indirect ways religious minorities (especially Christians) are discriminated against in Pakistan. From the wrongful execution of the blasphemy law to derogatory remarks, the 2% population of Christians in the country deserve a much more respect that they are currently being given.

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Let’s take a moment to remember that an entire fraction of our national flag is used to represent religious minorities. Christian, Jew, Hindu, Muslim – a Pakistani citizen is merely a Pakistani citizen at the end of the day and equal rights for all Pakistanis (irrespective of religious beliefs) are guaranteed in the constitution.

Read: All The Things You Need To Know About Pakistan’s First Hindu Female Civil Judge, Suman Bodani!

Therefore, it’s important to shine light on those Christian citizens because of whom Pakistan has/ is prospering and would not be the same without.

1. Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry

Cecil Chaudhry was a Pakistani academic, human rights activist, and veteran fighter pilot. As a flight lieutenant, he fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and as a squadron leader in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (1965) and theTamgha-i-Jurat (1971).

2. Peter Christy

Squadron Leader Peter Christy was a PAF bomber pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO) and a B-57 Canberra navigator. His years of service are 1958 – 1971. A talented officer, he faught in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars and is a recipient of the Sitara-e-Jurat (1965) and the Tamgha-i-Jurat (1971).

3. Anthony Theodore Lobo

A Pakistani Roman Catholic bishop, Anthony Theodore Lobo was appointed Bishop of Islamabad –Rawalpindi in 1993. He made important contributions to education in Pakistan and published several books. For example, he served as the Chairman of the Education Commission of Pakistan.

4. Mary Emily Gonsalves

From 1972 to 1982 as well as in 2005, Sister Mary Emily was the Principal of the St. Joseph’s College (Karachi), Pakistan – one of Pakistan’s leading Colleges. The Government of Pakistan awarded Sr. Emily the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, which she received from the Governor of Sindh in recognition of her services to education.

5. Antao D’ Souza

Antao D’Souza is a Pakistani Canadian former cricketer who played in six Tests for the Pakistan cricket team, from 1959 to 1962. He was the second Christian to play Test cricket for Pakistan. Additionally, he is one of only two Test cricketers whose batting averages exceeded their highest score.

6. Gertrude Lemmens

Sister Gertrude (Truus) Lemmens was a Dutch nun and founder of Dar-ul-Sukun (Home of Peace), a home for the mentally handicapped, orphans and the aged in Karachi, Pakistan. The President of Pakistan awarded her with the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam in 1989 for her work.

7. Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau

Dr. Ruth Katherina is known as “Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’” for dedicating 55 years of her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan. Pfau helped in establishing 157 leprosy clinics across Pakistan that treated over 56,780 people. She further won a number of awards including Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Pakistan (1989).

8. Władysław Józef Marian Turowicz

Turowicz was the administrator of Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) from 1967 to 1970 and later served in PAF. He also made significant contributions to Pakistan’s missile/rocket program as a chief aeronautical engineer. In Pakistan, he remains highly respected as a scientist and aeronautical engineer. Adding on, his awards include Abdus Salam Award in Aeronautical Engineering (1978) and ICTP Award in Space Physics (1979).

9. Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat

Wing Commander Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat was a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter pilot who was twice awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (In 1965 & 1971). He took part in some very important aerial battles during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars and was credited with several air-to-air kills. Once when he was suggested to move abroad, he replied, “Listen, this is my country; I was born here; my ancestors are buried here. I have spent my life defending my country; perhaps I will sacrifice my life for this country one day as well. I am not going anywhere.”

10. Air Vice-Marshal Eric Gordan Hall

Air Vice-Marshal Eric Gordan Hall was a Pakistan Air Force bomber and fighter pilot, and former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as well as a distinguished Christian pilot who participated in the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971. He is also notable as the Director-General of the Pakistan Air Force’s Air Force Science Research Laboratories (AFSRL) and won many distinguished awards.