The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby expressed his concerns over daily threats Christians face from Islamist militants and the blasphemy laws at the end of a two-day visit in Pakistan.

Speaking to Muslim leaders, Welby is determined to improve relations between Christians and Muslims in the West. He was also due to brief Pakistan’s Muslim leaders on the efforts under way in Britain to reach out to Muslim communities and to counter Islamist extremism.

“Freedom of worship is a universal human right around the world, and all countries need to pay attention to that,” he said.

Pakistan is home to 3.6 million Christians – about two percent of the population – who have been targeted by the misuse of draconian blasphemy laws.

Sources: The Tablet; ACNS