Security concerns for Pakistani Christians after death of bin Laden

There are fears that the death of Osama bin Laden could incite Islamic militants to carry out revenge attacks on Christians in Pakistan.

Christians make up only three per cent of the population in Pakistan and are regularly the victims of killings and attacks.

President of the Pakistan Christian Congress, Dr Nazir Bhatti, has called upon the Pakistani government to do more to protect Christians in the wake of the al-Qaeda leader’s death at the hands of US forces.

“The Pakistan administration must beef up security of churches, Christian institutions, Christian colonies and life of common Christian after death of Osama bin Laden,” he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan Christian Post.

Just last week, a church and missionary school were targeted by Muslim extremists in Gujranwala after Christians were accused of defiling the Koran.

The attack has prompted hundreds of Christians to leave the city out of fear for their lives.

Christians have felt especially vulnerable since the murder in March of the only Christian government minister in Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti, and the burning of a Koran by Florida pastor Terry Jones.

At least two Christians were murdered in retaliation for the Koran burning,while Bhatti’s assassination has caused many Christians to doubt the ability of security forces to protect them.

Following an attack on a church in Wah Cantt, police advised local churches to install security cameras and hire only security personnel who are Christian.