Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation was instituted in 2012 by Michelle Chaudhary, daughter of Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry and Mrs Iris Chaudhary. Michelle’s parents had been philanthropists as well as activists. The News on Sunday sat down with Ms Chaudhry recently for a conversation on the tumultuous times and her take on the way forward. Excerpts:

The News on Sunday: Can you please share some insights into your upbringing and how it influenced your career and advocacy work?

Michelle Chaudhary: I was fortunate to be raised by parents who believed that children should be allowed to make their own space, free of impositions. They both treasured our vision for our lives and were encouraging no matter the path. For instance, when I was working at Dawn News, my mother worried about my security and would pick me up, even if - at times – it was after 11 at night. Growing up, there was never much pressure on me or my siblings for grades. In the Chaudhry household, hard work was valued over all else.

I am not oblivious of the birth privilege. I did not face the brunt of the religious persecution some people in the Christian community did. Personally, growing up, I have never faced much religious hostility. My father was in the Air Force; most of his friends were Muslim. I was raised in a secular mainstream environment. The earliest unpleasant incident I can recall was when my sister was driving us in Gulberg and our car broke down in front of Liberty Market. Some shopkeepers came out to help, but as soon as they opened the car door, they went away. We were perplexed, till someone told us that it was because they saw the cross hanging in the car.

TNS: What are some of your most significant memories of your illustrious father? How have they shaped your work in the CICF?

MC: My father was a man of principles. Both my parents encouraged their children every step of the way. One of my most prominent memories of him was when I was around 12. All Air Force bases have children’s parks,. I used to love going there. Being the spoilt child I was, I loved a ride and would send household help to go and sit on the slide, so no one other than me could ride it. One time, some other children got there before me, and I started fighting them. They refused to budge. So I said something that at the time I found to be very clever: “You are the children of airmen, and I am the daughter of an officer. Your father works for mine. You owe me that ride.“ My father found out somehow. He walked me up to the airman’s house and made me apologise. I said I would not. At that point he sat down outside the house, next to the gully, telling me he would sit there all night unless I apologised. Eventually, I gave up and apologized. That is a core memory. It instilled self-dignity and firm principles in me.

My father, as opposed to my mother, pursued the enforcement of human rights. He advocated for the equality of all people, as well as proper education. During Zia-ul Haq’s regime, the separate electorates clause for the non-Muslim community greatly disadvantaged our rights. My father launched and led a campaign for 14 years, till the clause was repealed in 2002. He would often say “I have fought two wars for this country, but I am willing to fight 100 wars against extremism.“

My mother, too, shaped how I want the CICF to work. She was a strong believer in education. She said if one had education, they had everything in the palm of their hands. To continue her work, we opened a school in Youhanabad,.

TNS: What are the main obstacles you face in your advocacy and humanitarian work. How do you overcome those? Which of these have been the hardest?

MC: There are numerous obstacles. There are discriminatory laws that need to change so that all faith-based communities have equal status as per the constitution. Another issue that needs to be addressed urgently is underage marriages.

The bias against religious minorities is another obstacle.

TNS: In your view, what are the most pressing issues currently facing the Christian community in Pakistan?

MC: Currently, the Pakistani society is in the grip of religious extremism. This has destroyed the very fabric of the society. It is like walking on eggshells; you never know when you could say something that might trigger somebody.

Non-Muslims in Pakistan, Christians in particular, live with a sense of fear. They face discriminatory laws, acts of terrorism, mob violence and social hostility that causes constant fear. Churches have been burnt down, Christian villages and towns have been raided, homes have been burnt and looted, people have been tortured and sacred relics desecrated.

Governments have repeatedly failed to protect the lives and properties of non-Muslim citizens. There is little to no accountability. This has led to mob violence and lynchings. We cannot allow this to go on; impunity around violence against religious minorities in Pakistan has to end. The government must take concrete measures in this regard.

TNS: Are there new projects or initiatives in the pipeline that you are particularly excited about? What would you say was the one project that has had the most impact and outreach so far?

MC: I think the best project we have launched so far, was when in 2013, a twin suicide bombing occurred at All Saints Church in Peshawar. There were 130 casualties, most of them men. We went to the bishop’s house to help, and there we saw over a hundred women and their children. There were no male members left in their families. We realised that the main initiative had be to give them a means of income. We opened a skill development centre in Kohati Gate. We would hold morning and evening classes, teaching them how to cut, sew and stitch. It was less about the skills and more about how it was a healing process for the lonesome women. After courses lasting 3 months, they were given exams. Within a year, we had trained more than 80 women.

Another project started in 2014. Kot Radha Kishan had many brick kiln workers. Of those, a couple, Shama and Shehzad, had taken a loan from the kiln owner. Terrified of losing his money, the man accused them of blasphemy. A mob of 3000 people went into the house of the young couple, took them, and tied them to a tractor - the woman 7 months pregnant. They threw them into the burning furnace of a brick kiln, in front of their 6-year-old son, Suleiman. I took it upon myself to raise their traumatised children. They have grown up to be very accomplished adolescents. Suleiman is currently enrolled in a boarding school; the two girls go to a convent school in Lahore.

TNS: What keeps you motivated and inspired despite the challenges you face during your work?

MC: I was born into an extremely patriotic Pakistani family. Pakistan took priority over everything else. I was raised in an environment where I was made to understand that remaining neutral in situations of injustice, means that you have actually chosen the side of the oppressor; remaining silent was not an option for me.

This is where I belong, and this is what I will continue to do - even if it is a drop in the ocean. We may not see the results of our work today but maybe the future generations will.

TNS: What advice would you give to young people, especially from minority communities, who aspire to make a difference in the society?

MC: There is a quote from my father: “By faith, I am a Christian but my religion is humanity.” My advice is to follow the principles of humanity. Don’t try to change the world, you cannot change the world. You can only change one person at a time. If you change yourself, there is one more positive person in the world. Be the best human being you can be, and the world will be a better place.

The writer is a freelance contributor