There have been also reports of forcible conversion to Islam. Tehman, do you have any relative who converted to Pakistan's state religion?
No, Mayank. I do not have any such relative nor do I know anyone personally who converted to Islam.
I know it's a private question but would you have preferred to be born as a Muslim in Pakistan? Life is less complicated if one belongs to the majority religion of his native country, whether the nation is religious or secular.
Well, considering the religious turmoil the world is facing I would have preferred to be born a Christian, and if it is all right to confess - somewhere in Europe!
But if the basis of religion is the betterment of mankind, then why should anyone opt to convert to other faiths? Why not instead read and understand all faiths with an open mind? Animals, as we know it, probably don't abide by any religion, and yet they live peacefully, much more than us humans.
That is well said. You are an educated, eloquent man and, considering your background, quite well-off. Obviously, the state of Christians in Pakistan can't be that bad?
Mayank, I'm educated and well-off because my parents worked their way up and made it possible. Unfortunately, a large part of the Christian minority in Pakistan belongs to the lower-middle class who have had to go through our degenerative and regressive education system.
But now, many young Christian graduates, both male and female, are aspiring to be professionals. Many of them hold degrees and teach in Christian institutes as well as work for NGOs. And there are also a small proportion of Christians working in big multinational companies.
Since it is unwise to generalise the state of Pakistani Christians by conversing with you alone, I'll try to desist from making a definite judgment. What views do you hold of your fellow co-religionists? Are they mostly poor, jobless, and uneducated as it is made out to be?
As I said earlier, a large part of them belongs to the lower-middle class. Most of them are illiterate and live in ghetto-like Christian colonies.
Let me give you a clearer idea of Pakistani Christians. Out of ten Christians, for instance, you'll find three who clean the sewers, sweep the streets, and work as alcohol buying agents; three who work as teachers in schools and colleges; two employed as clerks; one as a well-educated working professional; and the last as a high-ranking government official or as a senior doctor.
Article comments
1 - diana hartman
I am pleased to tell you this article is being featured in the Culture Focus today, November 2nd.
Diana Hartman
Culture Editor
2 - Roger Choate
Yet another insightful article! There's so much we don't really know about Pakistan, so I hope you'll keep at it, Mayank
3 - Mayank Austen Soofi
I have been e-mailed by Mr. Tehman Lall. He has (rightly) observed that I have not included all the questions asked to him for this interview. He feels that there is more to Pakistan than suggested by this published piece.
4 - Stephen
It is a very insightful interview and gives a depth to Pakistan that I had not thought existed. Thanks both to Soofi and Lall.
5 - Roger Choate
Would it be an idea, Mayank, to do a sidebar to your article incorporating some of the additional thoughts that Mr Lall may have?
6 - Mayank Austen Soofi
Roger,
It is a very good idea. Thanks. I'll work on your suggestion. But I miss your take on Sweden. Okay, elections are over but surely there is much more to that northern nation than mere national elections.
7 - Roger Choate
Good, Mayank, I'll look forward to that article.
I do agree that there's more to Sweden than the occasional national election. I'll try to correct my wayward ways and crank something out.
From your own point of view as an Indian, what do you think you would want to know or learn about Sweden?
8 - Verona Pinto
I am from Mangalore, India. I found the article very informative, interesting and objective. According to me, Mr.Lall is quite frank in the interview, regarding the position of minorities in Pakistan.
That's a really nice picture of Mr.Lall and his family.