Militants told Pak Christians to convert or face death
Islamabad (Pakistan), SVM News, July 7, 2007: Islamist militants in Pakistan have threatened to kill 10 Christian clerics in Southern Punjab's Khanewal district if they did not "embrace Islam and stop preaching Christianity."
"We are feeling insecure and unsafe today because of these threatening letters from Muslim fanatics," said Provincial lawmaker Naveed Amer Jeeva, coordinator of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA).
Ten Christian clerics have received threatening letters from unidentified people warning them to "embrace Islam, stop preaching Christianity and quit your faith otherwise the countdown of your life has begun".
A state of fear prevails in Khanewal district's Shanti Nagar because the authorities have failed to address their security needs, said Pastor Mehtab Masih at a press conference yesterday to highlight the issue.
Threatening letters have been received by Union Council Naib Nazim Fazal Masih, Councillor Kalim Dutt, Pastor Robin, Capt Irshad of the Salvation Army Church, Pastor Boez Enver, Pastor Lemuel Calavary and Joseph Daniel, The SVM News Service said.
Lawmaker Jeeva said Pastor Mukhtar Barkat had received such a threatening letter and was assassinated on January 5, 2004 in Khurrampura Khanewal.
On June 12 Christians in Shantinagar village had also received anonymous letters written in Urdu asking them convert to Islam or leave the area.
The letters were sent to 10 religious, political and social leaders of this mainly Christian village.
Shantinagar village, which has about 3,000 Christians and 500 Muslim residents, was formed by the Salvation Army Church before the Partition of ithe sub-continent in 1947.
-- PTI
SALEM VOICE MINISTRIES NEWS SERVICE (SVM NEWS)
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