Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Anthony Theodore Lobo, said about 500 Christians in Charsadda, in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), lived in constant fear following threatening letters.
"It’s rather strange that we are made refugees inside our own country," He told Vatican Radio. "The government of the (NWFP) province should provide security for our people. But despite our request they have not yet provided any security," he said.
Amid international pressure, local government officials discussed the threats against Christians Thursday, May 17, the bishop said, adding that he believes security measures were underway.
CONTACTING MUSLIMS
The bishop stressed that he and other leaders also contacted local secular Muslims "who have promised to help the Christians there." Lobo added his church also seeks support from "well-known Islamic scholars" who we "ask to give statements that religion should not be spread by force."
Christians and other minorities make up about 3 percent of Pakistan’s overwhelmingly Muslim population of some 160 million, and about 500 Christians coexist peacefully with Muslims in Charsadda, according to estimates. Analysts say threats and violence against Pakistan’s Christian minority increased after the country became an ally of in Washington’s war against terror following the September 11 attacks against the United States.
NWFP, which borders Afghanistan, has been hit by numerous acts of violence in recent weeks by Taliban militants, who say their campaign is designed to stop what they describe as "anti-Islamic activities". (With BosNewsLife reporting and more reports from Pakistan).
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