Terrorists in Pakistan have murdered a Christian pastor who dedicated his life to helping persecuted the persecuted Church in his country.

Gunmen on motorbikes shot William Silraj in the head and chest as he was driving away from Sunday service at a church outside Peshawar city centre.

According to Aid to the Church in Need, also in the car was Rev. Patrick Naeem, priest-in-charge of the Church of Pakistan parish, who was rushed to hospital with gun wounds but was later described as stable.

News channels showed emergency services taking Mr Silraj out of the car and people chanting “Long live Jesus Christ”, as they carried him to his home.

Martyrs of All Saints’ Church, in Chamkani, was set up after the September 2013 twin suicide blast at the city’s All Saints’ Church, in which more than 120 people were killed and more than 250 injured.

Mr Silraj, a retired teacher with two grown-up daughters, lost his son-in-law in the All Saints’ Church attack and afterwards committed his ministry to reaching out to survivors and their families.

Qamar Rafiq, a UK-based Christian originally from Pakistan and a close friend of Mr Silraj’s family, spoke to many parishioners at Shodha Church and said people were “shocked”.

He added: “All of those supported by William Silraj are very sad at the loss of a very great and passionate man who was willing to reach out to Christians who had been through such a difficult time after what happened at All Saints’ Church.

“After what happened [at All Saints’], he would be knocking on the doors of victims’ families, praying with them and reassuring them of his support.

“He was always willing to reach out to communities in the narrowest of streets, no matter how dangerous the area.”

No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack but speculation is mounting that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan may be behind the violence.

Church of Pakistan Bishop Azad Marshall tweeted: “We demand justice and protection of Christians from the Government of Pakistan.”

Police officer Abbas Ahsan said: “It was a terrorist act… We are determined to protect minorities.”

On Monday, more than a thousand mourners gathered for Mr Siraj’s funeral and to pay tribute to him, including Rev. Naeem, who had been discharged from hospital, and clergy from all over the country.

A wreath was laid at the grave by an officer of the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) which is campaigning against persecution in Pakistan and which has offered to pay the costs of any further medical treatment required by Rev. Naeem.

Juliet Chowdhry of BACA said: “The burial of Pastor William Siraj was a sombre event but the huge numbers that gathered, illustrates how far the impact of his death has been felt.

“The passing away of a pastor in such a violent manner has been a real shock to the community.

“The fact that the killers are not known and are still able to enact more carnage is a frightening prospect.”

She said: “The Pakistani Government has failed to protect our minority and this takes an increasing toll on the Christian community’s morale.

“Even then we continue to go to church, we pray and we trust God. When will these terrorists realise that their attacks serve only to galvanise us?

“They can kill our friends and our families, they can end our earthy bodies, but in the end we will gain eternal life.”

She added: “More must be done not only in terms of security but in strengthening interfaith harmony.

“Rogue Mosques that indoctrinate hatred and groups that plan such attacks must be rooted out and terminated.”

(Photos courtesy of BACA)

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