ISLAMABAD: Anila Ali, Pakistan chair for International Religious Freedom (IRF) condemned the attack on Christian clerics in Peshawar.
“As a Pakistani American, I am very concerned at the escalation of violence against the Christians in Pakistan.
“Pakistanis have a constitutional right to practice their religion freely and Christians should never have to feel unsafe when going to pray at a Church. I know how important religious freedom is to Muslims Americans, it allows us to practice religion freely,” she said.
Gunmen on a motorcycle killed a Christian priest and wounded another as the victims drove home from church in Peshawar in Pakistan’s northwest, police said on Sunday.
William Siraj, 75, was killed instantly in the attack on the city’s ring road, according to police, while his colleague reportedly received hospital treatment for non life-threatening injuries. A third cleric in the car was unharmed.
IRF Chair demanded of the Pakistani Government to provide more security to Christian community. “An attack on Christian community should be seen as an attack on all of Pakistan”, she added.
The Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah assured the minorities: “You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in the State of Pakistan”.
IRF urged government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan to do more to protect the Christian community.
“Religious persecution is on the rise in Pakistan and it is of grave concern to us. This heinous attack and killing requires an urgent reckoning with Islamic extremism as the enemy within” she added.
She sent prayers to the grieving family of Pastor William Siraj and assured Pakistani Christian community of IRF’s support.
Read more: Indo-Pak water dispute: World Bank’s pause in mediation damaging Pakistan
