The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Revd. Prof Jerry Pillay has expressed shock about the violent attacks against churches and Christians in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
According to the report, Pillay said about six churches have been burnt in a Christian colony of Punjab province after two Christians were accused of blasphemy at A Presbyterian church, a Catholic Church, a Full Gospel Assembly Church, and a Salvation Army center among other churches been burnt as Christian clergy threatened and harassed.
Pillay, illustrate the extremist threats faced by members of the Christian community in Pakistan, WCC has called on the Pakistani authorities to act urgently and consistently to prevent further violent attacks and violations of the human rights of Christians in Punjab province or elsewhere in Pakistan as WCC has long expressed grave concerns regarding the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on Christians and members of other religious communities, saying all Pakistanis are entitled to respect the recognition of their equal rights as citizens of the country regardless of their religious affiliation.
The secretary urged member churches and ecumenical and inter-religious partners around the world to join in raising their voices against this violence and oppression, and in prayer for equal human rights, justice, and peace in Pakistan.
