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AP Photo/Arshad Butt
World News

Pakistan expert warns "climate of fear amongst Christians" after lawyers targeted

by Hannah Tooley

Anti-persecution charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been speaking out saying these people help protect religious freedom in the country.

The concern comes as a hospital was targeted on August 8th, killing 70 people in Quetta.

Pakistan: 

Population: 192.8 million, 3.9 million Christians
Main Religion: Islam
World Watch List Rank: 6
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism

It was full of lawyers who had gathered there to mourn the death of a colleague who had been assassinated on his way to court earlier the same day.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, took responsibilty for the attack.

AP Photo/K.Chaudary

CSW's South Asia's Team Leader, who cannot be named for security reasons, told Premier what he wants the government to deal with the issues before them.

He said: "We need to pray for the leadership in Pakistan. We also need to pray for the Christians.

"There is a climate of fear amongst Christians about their future [and] their identity as Pakistanis. So, we need to pray that this element of fear will be removed."

"Lawyers work is very important, particularly lawyers who are defending blasphemy related-cases or other sensitive cases relating to minority issues and they have come under a lot of threat and violence - sometimes unfortunately leading to death."

AP Photo/Arshad Butt

He told Premier the fact the government has not acted is significant: "That has really exposed Christians and civil society... Christians being the minority group in Pakistan are a lot more exposed to [threats], because of issues relating to blasphemy, apostasy. So they become a greater target."

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who were killed.

"We are deeply concerned by the threats against lawyers in Pakistan, who are advocates for justice and the protection of the rights of their fellow citizens, including the right to religious freedom.

"These extremist groups not only imperil the lives of innocent lawyers who are simply doing their job, but also Pakistan's legal system.

"We urge the government of Pakistan to deal decisively with Islamic extremism threats and to end the climate of fear which threatens Pakistan's legal and social fabric."

AP Photo/Arshad Butt

Pakistan ranks at number six on Open Doors World Watch List for countries where Christians suffer persecution.

The country has strict blasphemy laws which can be used to target minority groups, like Christians.

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speak to CSW's South Asia Team Leader here:

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