World Council of Churches asks Pakistan to protect Christians

The World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia appealed to Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari to "ensure the safety and security" of Christians in the Punjab province, where three attacks against Christian communities were carried by militant Islamic groups in the last two months.

The killing of seven Christians on 1 August in Gojra "reconfirms the fear that the government is constantly failing to protect its citizens," Kobia wrote in a letter to President Zardari on 3 August. He also expressed the concern that "blasphemy laws in Pakistan are being used as an excuse to victimize the minority Christians."

The burning alive of seven Christians, Kobia further said, was of "great shock and sadness". The killings and destruction of houses could have been avoided if the police and security forces were vigilant and had taken timely action against the militant Islamic groups, he added.

He continued that the World Council of Churches views the Gojra massacre and the riots that took place over the last three days as a matter of serious concern. "We believe that it is the responsibility of the State to provide security to all its citizens in the country, particularly in a region where communal tensions and chances for violence run a high risk."

Pakistan's National Assembly, meanwhile has passed a resolution condemning the violence, and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Pakistan's foreign office in a statement said the government was "firmly committed to protecting the fundamental rights of all its citizens and to promoting tolerance, understanding and harmony among all religions."

Christians make up less than three per cent of Pakistan's 176 million people. The country's Christian leaders have announced a "Black Day" to take place on August 11 to protest the killings of Christians by Muslim extremists.