ISLAMABAD, May 11: Several Christian families have fled their homes in North West Frointer Province after their community received threatening letters to shut churches and convert to Islam, an activist said on Friday.

The unsigned letters were distributed this week in the town of Charsadda, where interior minister last month escaped a suicide attack that killed 28 people.

Mr Shahbaz Bhatti, head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, claimed that militants trying to impose Taliban-style social strictures were responsible for the letters, which gave Christians until May 17 to convert.

He said several families among the 500 or so Christians in the town had already migrated to other places and others were contemplating the same. He appealed to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to “take strong and immediate measures for the safety of our people.”

“These extremists are asking us to change our religion. We will not do it, even if we have to die,” Mr Bhatti said.

Police said on Thursday they had stepped up security at churches in Charsadda. Copies of the handwritten letter, sent to churches and homes, did not say what consequences the Christians might face if they did not comply with the ultimatum.—AFP