ICC Note: Christians in Pakistan fear discrimination and persecution against their minority community will only increase under the new government. Last month, Imran Khan and his Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won Pakistan’s national elections. Initially imaged as a centrist party, Khan and other party members have recently spoken to a greater commitment for Pakistan to remain a country based on Islamic principles.

08/20/2018 Pakistan (The Express) – Former cricket star Imran Khan, who represents the PTI party, was sworn into office as Pakistan’s prime minister on Saturday.

But Open Doors, a Christian persecution watchdog, fears he will not do enough to help protect Pakistan’s small Christian minority.

Christians make up less than two percent of the country’s population of 197 million.

Although Pakistan’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Christians often report facing discrimination.

A spokesman for Open Doors said: “Imran Khan is the chairman of the newly emerged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

“It’s a centrist party which, according to the party, aims to create a welfare state, where the state is responsible for education, health and employability of citizens.

“This sounds like good news for Christians, who often struggle to access education, health care and dignified work because of the discrimination and attack they face from Islamic extremists.

“However, Khan has not positioned himself as a champion for minority groups and religious freedom.

“In fact, he seems keen to ensure that Pakistan remains a strongly Islamic republic.

“Hours after Khan’s victory was confirmed, he spoke to the nation saying his preferred form of government is ‘the Islamic State as established by the Prophet Mohammad in Medina’.”

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