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World News

Pakistani Christian dies after doctors refuse to treat him

by Eno Adeogun

Irfan Maish, 30, was overcome by toxic fumes while clearing a blocked sewer so his family rushed him to a government-run hospital. They claim a doctor said he couldn't touch the injured man because he was fasting for Ramadan and Maish was covered in sewage.

Wilson Chowdhry from the British Pakistani Christian Association tells Premier Christians stories like this are common because of how Christians are commonly viewed in the Muslim-majority nation.

Speaking about the "hard-line" type of Islam taught in a lot of the country he said: "There's this hatred for minorities that has bred after generation, after generation throughout the country."

He said Christians are seen as "unwanted, undesirable, filthy creatures" and doesn't expect them to be treated any better until they are no longer stereotyped so negatively.

According to Chowdhry, many Christians like Maish - who was a sanitation worker - are employed by councils and government institutions that advertise "the lowliest jobs" for Christians only.

According to official figures, Christians make up 1.6 per cent of Pakistan, although this number was released nearly 20 years ago in the country's last census.

Strong anti-blasphemy laws have also been attributed to anti-Christian sentiment in the country but Chowdhry doubts they will be changed anytime soon.

He urged Christians to pray for the nation: "Prayers should be focused on changes in legislation, changes in mechanisms that regulate statuary authorities and just an overall desire in the country to see good conquer evil."

Listen to Wilson Chowdhry from the British Pakistani Christian Association speaking with Premier's Eno Adeogun:

 
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