News Desk
Brussels, Sept. 9, 2025 – A delegation representing the Pakistani Christian community in the Netherlands met with senior European Commission officials on Tuesday to raise concerns over the treatment of Christians in Pakistan and the challenges faced by Christian refugees in Europe.
The delegation, comprising Watson Gill, Pastor Imran Gill, Azeem Masih, and Tanveer Qurban, held discussions with Jan Hofmokl, a senior diplomat at the European Commission.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted a range of issues affecting Christians. Watson Gill cited a recent case in Lahore in which a Christian sweeper at the High Court was reportedly dismissed for touching judges’ utensils, describing it as an example of persistent discrimination. Pastor Imran Gill drew attention to the difficulties of Pakistani Christian asylum seekers in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where many faced long asylum procedures and limited social support.
Tanveer Qurban urged upon the need to bring reform in Pakistani religious seminaries with sensibility and consensus of concerned steakholders, suggesting that equipping teachers with modern education could foster tolerance and coexistence.
Meanwhile, Azeem Masih presented a petition addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging stronger EU engagement on human rights protections for Christians in Pakistan.
In response, Hofmokl assured the delegation that the European Commission would raise these concerns with Pakistani authorities during upcoming talks in November.
Speaking afterward, delegation members voiced optimism that the EU’s involvement could help secure greater protection for Christians in Pakistan while also improving the situation of Christian refugees in Europe.