ASIA/PAKISTAN - IS is looking for recruits in Pakistan, Christians are appealing to the government

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - The Islamic State, the jihadist formation operating in Iraq, has distributed leaflets in Peshawar and Pakistani provinces bordering Afghanistan, calling for new recruits and appealing to the local population to support the creation of an Islamic caliphate. As Fides learns, the news has created concern in the Pakistani civil society, especially among young Christians and organizations that defend human rights: it therefore calls on the government to stop the spread of propaganda on behalf of IS.
The Christian lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, who is also concerned for the spread of an ideology that wants to infect the Pakistani society, told Fides: "Pakistan is already living a risky situation due to the presence of extremist and terrorist groups, for the lack of respect of religious freedom, for the discrimination of minorities. Faced with the news of the arrival of IS, many young Christians have come to me to express their anxieties. I reassured them, saying that God is with us and provides for his children".
However, Gill says, "we cannot ignore the growing threat of IS in Pakistan. As Christians, we can carry out our role in society, in the field of culture and publishing, to counter this ideology of death, bringing a vision based on values such as respect for life, the dignity of every human being, human rights, harmony. We hope that the Pakistani government gives an effective response at a federal, provincial or local level, preventing IS to penetrate in Pakistan". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/09/2014)