Release International

Release will present a petition at the Pakistan High Commission in London tomorrow expressing grave concern at the lack of justice for Christians in Pakistan.

Release patron Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali and CEO Andy Dipper will meet with High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan and urge the Pakistani Government to do more to protect the Christian minority and uphold their rights. The petition they will present bears more than 50,000 signatures.

Their visit comes just nine days after the Governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was assassinated – apparently for his support of Christian prisoner of faith, Asia Bibi, and his calls for the repeal of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Taseer, a moderate, had visited Asia in Sheikhupura District Jail after she was sentenced to death for blasphemy In November. His vocal support for Asia had been condemned by Islamist hardliners and he was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards in Islamabad on January 4.

Radical Islamic clerics have reportedly offered a reward of 500,000 rupees (about £4,000) for anyone who kills Asia Bibi. The prison authorities have stepped up security around Asia and she is now not allowed out of her cell, according to Compass Direct news agency. Her husband and children are in hiding due to ongoing threats.

Governor Taseer's murder not only threatens Asia's prospects for justice – but also those of the wider Christian community. Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, prompted by Islamist hardliners' recent protests and strikes, said this week that the blasphemy laws would not be repealed.

Meanwhile, the self-confessed assassin, bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri, has been showered with rose petals after court appearances and hundreds of lawyers have offered to defend him for free, according to Reuters news agency.

(Sources: BBC, Compass Direct, International Christian Concern, Pakistan Christian Post, Reuters, VOM Canada)

• Pray for Bishop Michael and Andy Dipper's meeting with the High Commissioner in London at noon tomorrow. Pray for positive and frank dialogue.
• Ask God to grant the Pakistan authorities wisdom in trying to keep peace and upholding the religious rights of all citizens. Pray that officials will heed appeals for religious freedom made by Governor Salman Taseer and pray that they will not be cowed by extremist threats.
• Continue to pray God's protection over Asia Bibi and her family.
• Pray that the British media will continue to keep the plight of Christians in Pakistan high on the news agenda.

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