The Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly is calling upon the UK to use its relations with Pakistan to end misuse of the country's blasphemy laws.
The call for action came on the same day as it emerged that Asia Bibi, a Christian mother who spent nearly a decade in prison for blasphemy, had finally been able to leave the country, months after her conviction was overturned.
Kirk Moderator the Rt Rev Susan Brown, said: "I am glad that Asia Bibi is finally on her way to Canada but I continue to pray for her safety.
"This young woman was arrested 10 years ago, convicted and sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy law. She has lost so many years of her life through malicious allegations simply because she is a Christian."
Christian human rights groups have warned for years that the laws are being used as a tool to persecute and harrass Christians, who account for less than 2 per cent of Pakistan's population.
READ MORE: The UK must put pressure on governments in countries where Christians are being persecuted
Although Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country, moderate Muslims have also been victims of the laws, which make it a crime punishable by death to insult the Prophet Muhammad.
The Church of Scotland has also campaigned against the misuse of the blasphemy laws for many years but Prime Minister Imran Khan has so far disappointed Christians by promising that there will be no reform for now.
Church of Scotland partners in Pakistan report that at least seven other individuals - five Christians and two Muslims - are awaiting trial on similar charges to those faced by Mrs Bibi.
"We urge the authorities in the UK and Pakistan to act and end the misuse of this law," said Mrs Brown.
"With Asia Bibi's release, let's hope that people of all faiths and none, in every part of the world, might learn to be more gracious towards each other.
"It is also my hope that Pakistani Christians are treated more kindly here in the UK."
