Asian Christians in Bradford are calling for an end to the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, after the killing of a Protestant pastor.

The Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Organisation in Bradford is campaigning to abolish Pakistan's Blasphemy Law, under which Christians and others are being persecuted.

The organisation's chairman Ghamkhar 'Jim' Dutt, of Armidale Way, Bolton, Bradford, was born in the Christian village of Shantinagar and members of his family were injured in attacks in the area in 1997.

He said 26 Asian Christian families in Bradford support the cause.

"The minorities, especially the ten million Christians, are physically, socially and spiritually strangulated and trapped under the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan."

The Asian Christians aim to persuade the Pakistani government to release prisoners waiting to be hanged under the Blasphemy Law, and establish an independent investigation.

The campaign has been backed by Sher Azam president of the Council of Mosques in Bradford. He said: "Mr Dutt and I are speaking in the same voice. Any persecution is contrary to Islamic principles, and many Muslims are also being persecuted in Pakistan."

Last month in Pakistan, pastor Mukhtar Masih, 36, was shot as he left his home. Mr Masih's church had been rebuilt after being destroyed in 1997, when 50,000 Muslim extremists attacked churches and public buildings in the Christian village of Shantinagar.

Dominic Mughal, co-ordinator of Bradford Faiths Cohesion Programme, said he had heard reports that Mr Masih was killed after preaching Christian services via loudspeakers.

He said: "It seems in this case there was a religious factor involved. It was his right to preach, but it seems some people did not think so."

Mr Mughal said Pakistan's government had been more active in protecting people against religious intolerance since the arrival of the current President, Pervez Musharraf.