New Delhi: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Christian priest and injured another in the Peshawar city of Pakistan. The country has once again come under attack for its religious intolerance. Pakistanis are lashing out against the Imran Khan government for increasing extremism and failing to protect the minorities.
Bishop Azad Marshall, President, Bishop Church of Pakistan, condemned the attack and demanded justice and protection of Christians from the PTI government.
We strongly condemn the firing on clergy of Diocese of Peshawar and instant killing of Pastor William Siraj and injuring Rev Patrick Naeem earlier today. We demand justice and protection of Christians from the Government of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/T62scXXpB6
— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) January 30, 2022
A Twitter user said “there have been enough incidents in Pakistan to give everyone a reality check”.
A priest was shot dead in Peshawar another’s been injured. Theres been enough incidents in this country to give every one a reality check. PAKISTAN IS NOT SAFE FOR MINORITIES! Whoever tells you different is a bigot.
— Nishat (@shee_unicorn) January 31, 2022
Condemning the incident, another user asked Imran Khan to stop defaming ‘Riyasat-e-Madina’ if the PM does not have the courage to stop such brutalities. The prime minister in an article had recently articulated his vision for Pakistan. It was titled Spirit of Riyasat-i-Madina: transforming Pakistan.
Horrified by the killing of Pastor William in Peshawar, other priest badly injured.
For last many months, there's an increase in faith based attacks in Pakistan.@ImranKhanPTI plz stop defaming the name of "Riyasat e Madina" if you dont have the nerve to stop such brutalities. pic.twitter.com/tuiVVEkGhp
— Mona Farooq Ahmad (@MFChaudhryy) January 31, 2022
A user said Pakistani minorities were going through hell since PTI came to power.
So people who keep telling to present positive image of Pakistan, how to tell the world positively now that a priest was murdered and another shot in Peshawar?
Minorities hv been going through a living hell since PTI have taken over both in KP('13) and federal ('18)
— نائِس گائے (@chalbayphut) January 30, 2022
Cautioning the PM from commenting on other countries and their treatment of minorities, a user said, “Let’s please focus on xenophobia in Pakistan first.”
Let's please focus on xenophobia in Pakistan first. It's pretty hollow commenting on religious freedom in other countries the same day a priest gets killed on his way back from church in Peshawar. https://t.co/yGCOrzoL7o
— Mansoor (@memonburger) January 31, 2022
Social activist Alam Zaib Khan Mehsud wrote that the “state should Provide protection to the minorities and take serious steps in this regard and bring the killers to justice.”
It is heartwrenching to know that Pastor William Siraj, an assistant priest of the Church of Pakistan, has been killed in Peshawar. State should Provide protection to the minorities and take serious steps in this regard and bring the killers to justice.#SayNoToExtremism pic.twitter.com/ADIwmRRXI2
— AlamZaib Khan Mahsud (@AlamZaibPK) January 30, 2022
The death of the Christian priest has received criticism in other countries as well.
British South Asia Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad said “we (the UK) will continue to defend freedom of Religion or Belief for all in Pakistan.”
Appalled by the killing of a Christian priest in Peshawar today. My thoughts & prayers are with the victim's loved ones. The UK stands in solidarity with Christians who are persecuted for their faith. We will continue to defend Freedom of Religion or Belief for all in Pakistan.
— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) January 30, 2022
Justin Welby, the most senior bishop in the Church of England, wrote that “as we mark Candlemas today, we pray for the light of Christ’s justice, hope and peace for our sisters and brothers in the Church of Pakistan.”
As we mark Candlemas today, we pray for the light of Christ’s justice, hope and peace for our sisters and brothers in the Church of Pakistan.https://t.co/ErJH9TZjVi
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) January 30, 2022
The Christian priest killed in the attack has been identified as 75-year-old Father William Siraj. And the injured priest, Father Patrick Naeem, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Peshawar. His condition is said to be stable.
Police said the duo were leaving the church on Sunday when two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on their car on the city’s Ring Road, killing Pastor William Siraj on the spot.
So far, no one has taken responsibility for this attack.
According to the reports, militant violence has escalated since the Pakistani Taliban ended a ceasefire with the government last month.
Christians make up two per cent of the Pakistani population.
On an Easter Sunday in March 2016, 72 people were killed and more than 300 were injured in the bomb attack in a crowded park in Lahore.
In 2013, militants carried out the deadliest attack on All Saints Church in Peshawar with bombs and bullets. At least 80 people were killed and 120 others injured in the attack.