A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan’s ruling party has drawn flak for rejecting a report on religious persecution in the country.
Shunila Ruth, parliamentary secretary for the ministry of religious affairs and interfaith harmony, faced criticism after she rejected an international re-port that said religious minorities suffered discrimination in the Islamic nation.
Last year, a 168-page report by the UK-based All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ahmadis narrated discrimination faced by their community in Pakistan.
Ruth rejected the report and announced to issue its rebuttal in a meeting last week in Islamabad.
“I feel more protected, safe, and peaceful in Pakistan than any other country of the world,” she stated.
The report, titled ‘Suffocation of the faithful – the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and the rise of International Extremism,’ said “state-sponsor-ed” persecution against Ahmadis intensified following the formation of Pakistan.
It also noted how the denial of freedom of religion for Ahmadis has also led to the denial of freedom of religion for other communities including Chri-stians.
“Security improvements in churches include raised-up perimeter walls, complete with razor wire, surveillance cameras, bomb-proof gates, guards and patrols,” it stated.