Christians from Pakistan Refused Visas to Visit UK Church – Because They Are Too Poor
ICC Note: According to reports, two Pakistani Christians were denied visas to visit a church in the UK after being told that they are “not wealthy enough.” Due to job discrimination and various other societal factors, Christians in Pakistan are often forced into the lower class. Although the visit was going to be paid for by the church in return for a visit to their church in Pakistan the previous year, the visa request was still denied.
By Ruth Gledhill
11/11/2016 United Kingdom (Christian Today) – Two Christians from Pakistan are “shocked and depressed” after being refused visas to visit the United Kingdom because they are “not wealthy enough”.
Their visit was to have been paid for by the Church of Scotland.
The Church’s Glasgow presbytery sent a delegation last year to a congregation in Hyderabad and wanted to reciprocate by inviting the two Christians back to Glasgow this year.
The Church said: “Immigration officials refused the applicants visas on the basis they could not prove they were wealthy enough to be allowed into the UK.”
The visits were intended to be part of the Church’s attempts to develop a formal “twinning” link with the Hyderabad diocese.
Rev Graham Blount, clerk of the Glasgow presbytery, said they will not let the set back get in the way of forging links with Pakistan.
“We remain committed to our twinning link with the diocese of Hyderabad, with whom we enjoyed tremendous hospitality when members of our presbytery visited Pakistan last year.
“The Church of Scotland has spoken of its concern for Christians in Pakistan who, like other minority faith groups in that country, face growing threats in practising their religion.