Church leaders in Pakistan are on high alert for attacks over Easter. Persecution fears are growing following the massive show of public support for the man who assassinated anti-blasphemy campaigner, Salman Taseer.

Release International

A church leader has warned Release International that concern is growing for the safety of Christians in Pakistan over Easter.

The leader, who cannot be named, said: 'The anger of extremists is boiling over towards Christian communities across the country. The situation is tense and alarming for Christian and Muslim leaders who speak up for Christians. They are on high alert. We are concerned for our Easter services.'

He added: 'Please pray for this very serious issue.'

Bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri was hanged on February 29 for the murder of the man he was charged to protect, Punjab governor Salman Taseer. The governor had been pressing for a pardon for Christian woman Asia Bibi, who had been sentenced to death for blasphemy.

Qadri repeatedly shot Salman Taseer in the chest in 2011. When he appeared in court, he was hailed as a hero, showered with rose petals and kissed by lawyers.

An estimated 100,000 turned out for Qadri's funeral in Rawalpindi, smothering his coffin with roses. Some in the crowd wore 'I am Qadri' signs around their necks. And the minister for religious affairs issued a statement describing the killer as a 'martyr'.

The government imposed a media blackout to prevent riots. But tens of thousands of Qadri supporters blocked roads in many cities in protest at his execution by hanging.

'Do pray for protection for Christian communities and churches - especially around Easter,' says Paul Robinson, the Chief Executive of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians.

'Ask God for safety and wisdom for religious leaders who are speaking up for justice and for changes to the blasphemy laws. Release continues to campaign for these laws to be repealed.'

The highest profile blasphemy case in Pakistan is that of Asia Bibi, who Salman Taseer wanted to be released.

Asia has been on death row since 2010. She was accused of blasphemy after a row broke out with her fellow labourers. When Asia brought them water to drink, they refused, saying that Asia was a Christian and therefore unclean.

Asia Bibi is the first Christian woman to be sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan. The appeal process has been dragging on for years. A Muslim cleric has offered a reward for her death, and her family has had to go into hiding.