Italian Parliamentarians, activists demand action over Christian persecution in Pakistan
The Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy in collaboration with the Jubilee Campaign, Netherlands, recently called upon the international community, including the European Parliamentarians, to use diplomatic channels to ensure legislative reforms to address the persecution of the Christian community in Pakistan.
The event spotlighted the misuse of blasphemy laws and forced faith conversions as critical issues. During the press conference, the launch of a new book, Under Threat of Death: A Mother’s Faith in the Face of Injustice, Imprisonment, and Persecution by Shagufta Kausar and Eugene Bach, published by Whitaker House, took place, ANI reported.
The book recounts Kausar’s harrowing experiences of facing blasphemy accusation in Pakistan.
Speaking at the event, Kausar shared her ordeal, revealing that she was offered multiple chances to convert to Islam to avoid punishment. She steadfastly refused to abandon her Christian faith, despite threats of death.
“Christians in Pakistan are like sheep among wolves without a protector,” she told ANI, expressing gratitude to Lorenzo Malagola and Professor Shahid Mobeen for organising the event and allowing her to share her eight-year imprisonment testimony.
During the event, Advocate Tabassum Yousaf urged the Pakistani government to combat violence against women, including domestic violence, forced marriage, and child marriage.