Pakistani Minorities Minister to visit UK

Shahbaz Bhatti will speak at Christian Solidarity Worldwide's annual conference next month about the plight of Christians in Pakistan, which has come under international pressure for the treatment of religious minorities.

Congressman and human rights advocate Frank Wolf will also join the conference, which marks 10 years since the passing of the International Religious Freedom Act in the US. The Act charged the country with taking a lead role in promoting religious freedom around the world.

During the one-day event, the human rights leaders will “review a decade of USA foreign policy and activity focused on the promotion of religious freedom around the world”, according to CSW.

Recently, Pakistani leader received an award from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, for his role in Pakistan. He was quoted by the Associated Press as saying being ready to “pay the price” of his life for religious freedom.

In the wake of the Gojra violence in which eight Christians were burnt to death in August, Christians and critics have blamed the blasphemy law. The Federal minister had promised to review Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which have been misused to persecute Christians.

“The Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs will expand on this position at the conference while sharing the inspiration behind his work as founder of the ‘All Pakistan Minorities Alliance’ (APMA),” said CSW.

CSW said that the conference would also feature a first-hand eyewitness account of human rights abuses in Burma.

Speaking ahead of the conference, CSW’s Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: “We are very honoured to welcome both Congressman Wolf and Minister Bhatti whose example in the sphere of political engagement is an inspiration to us all and a challenge to renew our efforts to promote religious freedom around the world.

"The conference promises to be a moving and informative day.”