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CNN Live Sunday

Pakistan's Christians Say They Fear Attacks From Extremists

Aired November 04, 2001 - 17:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in Pakistan have questioned more than 100 suspects in the deadly shootings a week ago that killed 16 Christian worshipers inside their church. Christians in Pakistan say that they fear more attacks as the U.S.-led war continues. CNN's Amanda Kibel reports from Quetta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANDA KIBEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside this Quetta church, prayers for those who died in the church massacre at Bahawalphur, while outside police brought in since those attacks guard the congregation.

Religious leaders say Bahawalphur is the most serious attack on Pakistan's Christians they can recall. The small Christian minority, just 2 percent of Pakistan's population, fear attacks like this could increase.

In Bashirabad (ph), a Christian community in Quetta, those fears have already once driven women and children from their homes and into hiding. The Christians here live surrounded on all sides by Muslims. Black and white flags flattering over the rooftops, a visible sign of their neighbors' allegiance to the extreme Islamic JUI Party.

The day after U.S. attacks an Afghanistan began last month, residents here say they too came under attack.

"When the war started," says this woman, "the extremists came into our colony. They threatened to set our church on fire and they said they would kill us all."

Since then, the community have hired a private security guard and two policemen assigned by the Pakistani government patrol the suburb.

(on camera): While officially community leaders say they are satisfied with the level of protection provided by the government, residents here tell a very different story.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think two armed guards that guard us enough for the 400 houses?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are not satisfied with the protection by government. We are not satisfied at all. KIBEL (voice-over): Many Christians feel they are being targeted because ultimately they are seen as siding with the West and what Islamic extremists believe is a Christian crusade against the whole of Islam.

In Quetta's Christian cemetery, called the White Graveyard for all the European soldiers and missionaries buried here, more reminders of the rage unleashed against the Christians when the bombing across the border began. This day, the graveyard is practically deserted. A prayer meeting to honor the community's dead is canceled. Religious leaders have decided not to hold any large gatherings, except in churches.

And then, out the of the silence, Islamic Taliban supporters pass by on their way to protest rallies in the center of the city, as they do every Friday. But these days, the police guard outside the cemetery waits for them to arrive and watches until they leave.

Amanda Kibel, CNN, Quetta, Pakistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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