Pakistan’s Christians are concerned for their safety today, following news that the only Christian minister in the cabinet has been assassinated. They’ve been protesting on the streets, calling for government protection against extremists.

Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a champion of religious minorities’ rights, was shot dead in his car in a residential district of Islamabad, outside his parents’ home. Partners of Release International, which serves persecuted Christians, warn if key government figures can be killed with impunity, they could be next.

Mr Bhatti, 42, was a vocal critic of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Pamphlets found at the scene attributed the murder to al-Qaeda and the Pakistan Taliban and said Mr Bhatti had been targeted for his faith and his opposition to the blasphemy laws.

‘Rashid’’ a Christian campaigner and close friend of Mr Bhatti, told Release he was ‘heartbroken’ by the news – and demanded justice on behalf of his friend and Pakistani Christians.

‘Shahbaz was a government servant and it’s the responsibility of Government to keep him safe,’ he said. ‘When a minister is not secure, what is the position of Christians? We are like the sheep – extremists can come and slaughter us. We have no cause, no weight.

‘The Government is not taking seriously its responsibility to protect the Christian community. You see some policemen outside churches on Sunday. But they are not enough. We need justice. I don’t believe the Government will give us justice for this murder.’

Mr Bhatti’s murder comes just weeks after the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer – another prominent critic of the country’s notorious blasphemy laws.

Rashid, whose identity cannot be revealed for his protection, is travelling to Islamabad tonight to be with the Bhatti family. A Release partner in Pakistan, he urged the Pakistan authorities to do more to clamp down on hardline Muslim clerics whom he accused of inciting religious hatred with inflammatory preaching.

He also said Christians were increasingly angry about attacks on their community and had already staged protests in Lahore and Rawalpindi in response to Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder.

‘Christians are insecure and scared,’ he said. ‘Some groups are showing their anger. But what can they do? They can raise their slogans and protest – but they need justice.’

Rashid had to go into hiding after Governor Taseer’s murder in January – and had been fielding calls today from friends and colleagues concerned for his safety.

Release CEO Andy Dipper, who was due to meet with Mr Bhatti in Washington DC later this month, described his murder as a ‘body blow’ for justice and religious rights in Pakistan.

‘Shahbaz was an uncompromising supporter of minorities in Pakistan who face abuse and unfair treatment. He was fully aware of the risks in speaking out. Extremists have succeeded in destroying another good man.

‘Pakistan’s Christian minority – already under threat from religious extremism – are feeling even more vulnerable today. The Pakistan Government must act to curb extremism and step up security for Christians.’

Release recently submitted a petition to the Pakistan High Commission in London bearing more than 50,000 names and calling for protection for Christians, whose communities have come under violent attack and who are targeted by extremists.

Through its international network of missions Release serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world, by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice. Release is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections and the Evangelical Alliance.

For a country profile on Pakistan, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/pakistan.php

For further information, please contact Release International on 01689 823491, or by email at info@releaseinternational.org 

For more information, go to: www.releaseinternational.org