Why a boy's death in Pakistan concerns us all

The death of 11-year-old Irfan Masih in Pakistan matters more to you than you might think.

Irfan Masih took a bullet during an attack by militants against a tiny Christian enclave in Karachi. The attack was said to be Taliban-inspired. It followed the daubing of ‘Long live the Taliban’ on a church, along with warnings that Christians should convert to Islam or pay jizye – a tax imposed on infidels for their ‘protection’.

There’s a question as to whether the bullet that hit Irfan was fired by the Taliban or by the police. But who pulled the trigger is no longer relevant to Irfan.

Irfan’s death, however, is profoundly relevant to us all. He died in an attack by militants on Pakistan’s biggest city, its main seaport and financial capital.

Karachi is 700 miles from the Taliban stronghold of Swat Valley, a place of misery for many, who now suffer under an extreme and brutal version of Sharia – Islamic law.

According to the BBC, the Taliban of Swat Valley are so confident of their total control that they have invited Osama bin Laden to make it his home. That unbridled control was handed over to the Taliban lock, stock and barrel by the Pakistan government, in a bid to appease their aggression.

In return, the Taliban were to disarm. But they refused. And now extremists are spreading out to the north and infiltrating Pakistan’s major cities, including Karachi and Lahore. The Pakistan air force recently launched strikes against Taliban strongholds within 67 miles of the capital, Islamabad – the distance between Winchester and London.

So what is it like for Christians living under the Taliban? Many leave rather than wait to find out. Only some 500 Christians are said to remain in Swat Valley.

Many are afraid to go to church. They can no longer send their daughters to school, as the Taliban have blown-up or demolished some 200 schools for girls. Educating girls is an affront to their religion.

Release International serves the persecuted Church worldwide. Our partner in Pakistan, Sohail Johnson, fears the Taliban extremists will grow stronger, and present ‘the greatest threat for Christians living in Pakistan.’

And not just Pakistan.

In their attempt to improve Western security, allied troops have driven many Taliban fighters over the Afghan border into Pakistan. Now Gordon Brown says tackling security in the border regions is vital to creating ’more security in Britain’.

Rallying British troops in Helmand, Mr Brown called on them to break the ‘chain of terror’, which started in the mountainous region and ending in cities worldwide.

That terror came home to Karachi last month [April], with the death of 11-year-old Irfan Masih. His death should concern us all.

Andrew Boyd is press officer for Release International.

ENDS