Releasing an annual report on international religious freedom, Pompeo estimated that more than 40 others were serving life sentences or facing execution for blasphemy in Pakistan. “We continue to call for their release and encourage the government to appoint an envoy to address religious freedom concerns,” Pompeo said. Sam Brownback, the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, acknowledged disappointment since the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “They continue to be one of the worst actors in the world on religious persecution,” Brownback said. In April, which was after the timeframe of the 2018 report, Saudi Arabia conducted a mass execution of 37 people.

Source: The Express Tribune June 22, 2019 06:56 UTC