16 Pakistani Christians freed after being abducted by militants

A number of Christians kidnapped on Saturday night by an extremist Islamic group in Pakistan have been released, reports Christian group CLAAS-UK.

The Christians were kidnapped by the Lashkar-e-Islam (the Army of Islam) from Academy Town (NWFP) in the north-western area of Peshawar during a prayer meeting on 21 June 2008.

Although the actual number of abductees remains unconfirmed, reports state that there were 25 in total. Sixteen of them were freed on Sunday but the fate of the others remains unknown.

The Chief Minister Ameer Hameed Hoti has ordered that all of the Christians, who were forced into vans by their abductors, should be freed as soon as possible.

Sources tell CLAAS-UK that the abductees had received threatening letters a month ago telling them to stop their religious activities. They refused, however.

This is not the first time that Christians living in NWFP have received such threats or have been kidnapped. Rather, persecution against believers in the region has been ongoing for the last few years.

Last year, Dr Reginald, a medical director of a Christian hospital, was kidnapped along with his driver. Prior to that, a pastor was also kidnapped. On one occasion Christians were threatened to convert to Islam or leave their town.

This is the first time, however, that believers have been kidnapped in such large numbers.

"The situation is very worrying as it is getting worse for Christians in Pakistan and this latest incident has only increased the sense of insecurity," said Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, a group which supports persecuted Christians in Pakistan.

"Many are already living under constant fear and see their future in the country as bleak."

The Rt Rev Munawr Romall Shah said that Christians are not after special treatment but want to be treated equally to their fellow non-Christian Pakistanis.

Christians in Pakistan have suffered for their faith over the last few decades but the situation has worsened since the late General Zia UL Haque started a process of Islamisation. Amendments have also been made to the blasphemy law, which persecution watchdogs warn is being used as a tool to persecute Christians, attack churches and Christian institutions, and even kill believers.

According to reports, the Taliban and other militant groups have increased their activities and government officials have said that the Taliban may take over the Peshawar region of Pakistan. Several treaties have been signed between the government and the Taliban to maintain peace in the region but the Taliban remains active there.

Mr Saeed said he was very concerned about the rising violence and intimidation against Christians in Pakistan and urged the Pakistani Government to do more to protect its Christian citizens, a tiny minority in predominantly Muslim Pakistan.

"Christians are peaceful citizens and are loyal to their country, but unfortunately they have never been considered equal citizens of Pakistan," he said.

"We are continuously bringing our concerns before the government of Pakistan, but the government is not paying any attention. Christians are suffering because of several discriminatory laws against them, but especially because of the blasphemy law. The government of Pakistan should take this matter seriously."