Indian Christians protest Pakistan minister’s killing

(March 07, 2011) Indian Christians of all denominations held a demonstration at the Indo-Pakistan international border in Attari, Punjab, on Sunday, against the killing of a Pakistan minister for demanding the repeal of the controversial blasphemy laws in the country. Pakistan minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic and the the only Christian minister in the cabinet, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen last Wednesaday in Islamabad for his efforts against the abuse of the laws. “We will not give up this issue here,” said Church of North India Bishop P.K. Samantroy of Amritsar. He said they would discuss the matter with their partner organizations across the globe so that the same could be taken up with the United Nations. Church of North India, Roman Catholic Church and Salvation Army took part in the protest under the banner of United Christian Forum for Human Rights.