My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Freemasonry membership for Pakistani people

Shaheen Iqbal

Registered User
All across Europe during World War 2 and then during the Communist regime in Eastern Europe Freemasonry was banned and deconstructed and when it was no longer banned new Lodges started there naturally, followed quite quickly by new Grand Lodges. If the Pakistani government changes (not a question for Freemasons) its position on Freemasonry it is highly likely that Lodges would spring up there in the same way.

However, it can hardly be considered either sensible or Masonic to encourage someone who lives in a country where Freemasonry is an illegal pastime to risk imprisonment and possibly worse JUST to keep an old Lodge going.

Without going into too much details about the case the petitioning freemason of Pakistan have been actively fighting their case in court against the Pakistani government since the 80s and they have never been arrested or jailed.

Furthermore as you have pointed out its has been deemed illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary in Pakistan. Therefore stating it would be illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary abroad would be like starting it is illegal for a Pakistani to enter a bar and enjoy a drink whilst on holiday.
 
Last edited:

LK600

Premium Member
I suspect that you may have read the original post and my response too quickly.
You very well could be right. I have a propensity of becoming defensive on the subject of loyalty to ones government/people (specifically in scenarios where loyalty could be towards someone I would liken to the Nazi's). Theoretically intended, and not towards any specific country or person.
 

Shaheen Iqbal

Registered User
Sadly there is quite a difference between being a Freemason in the USA or UK and being one in Pakistan.
Bro Mike, I am just grateful that your opinion is not the general consensus in UGLE or I would have been denied the opportunity of being made a freemason.
 
Last edited:

Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
Without going into too much details about the case the petitioning freemason of Pakistan have been actively fighting their case in court against the Pakistani government since the 80s and they have never been arrested or jailed.

Furthermore as you have pointed out its has been deemed illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary in Pakistan. Therefore stating it would be illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary abroad would be like starting it is illegal for a Pakistani to enter a bar and enjoy a drink whilst on holiday.

I am unclear whether you are purposefully misreading what I have written I do hope not, once again for clarity: My statement is NOT that a Pakistani who lives in a country where Freemasonry is NOT illegal cannot join a Lodge, we have many Freemasons of Pakistani origin here in the UK. My statement and I say again is that encouraging a Pakistani living in Pakistan (where Freemasonry and membership of it is illegal) to become a Freemason and therefore an outlaw and subject to legal action by that State is an "un-masonic" act and is NOT encouraged by the UGLE.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Furthermore as you have pointed out its has been deemed illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary in Pakistan. Therefore stating it would be illegal for a Pakistani to practice freemasonary abroad would be like starting it is illegal for a Pakistani to enter a bar and enjoy a drink whilst on holiday.

My worry is that a Pakistani would become a Freemason while living and working in the west, then return home. Should he end up in danger for having taken our degrees, that would not be good.

Generally groups that work in exile don't return until they have reformed their mother country. I'm quite okay with someone working in exile like that. I worry that going home before the reform works would put someone I adopted into my family in danger.
 

LK600

Premium Member
encouraging a Pakistani living in Pakistan (where Freemasonry and membership of it is illegal) to become a Freemason and therefore an outlaw and subject to legal action by that State is an "un-masonic" act and is NOT encouraged by the UGLE.

On edit, removed. I will just say I completely disagree with this philosophy.
 
Last edited:
Top