Western governments invariably raise angry voices after these terrorist acts. But even their loudest condemnations are short lived. The world moves on. Such nonchalance, however, should not be tolerated following this latest outrage. Pakistan’s Christians are demanding that their homes and churches be made safe and their tormentors be arrested. They deserve no less.

Foreign governments can’t protect citizens in other countries or bring terrorists to justice when they bomb churches. But where they can, and should, intervene is in demanding Pakistan’s government rulers do so. The International Monetary Fund just loaned Pakistan $6.6 billion to help rebuild a stagnant economy. Law-and-order strings should be attached to the funds.

Likewise, the Canadian government should demand that Pakistan vigourously pursue the Muslim extremists who roam the country with impunity. In 2011, Pakistan was earmarked as one of 20 preferred recipients of Canadian foreign aid. Pakistan made the list as a “country of focus” and received $69 million in development and humanitarian aid because of its genuine need but also its “alignment with Canadian foreign policy priorities,” according to a government release.

If it’s reasonable to attach strings to government aid, then most prominent among them should be a commitment from a receiving nation to defend its minorities. Pakistan has been miserably failing that test by its refusal to revoke vile blasphemy laws and its persistent failure to protect its religious minorities.

The church massacre was the largest single act of terrorism against Christians in that country, but it was far from the first. In March, a rampaging Muslim mob burned two churches and some 100 homes in Lahore. Christian minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti was murdered in 2011. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have led to dozens of bogus arrests in the past year and at least 16 people are on death row and another 20 serving life sentences for blasphemy, according to Human Rights Watch. Christians are routinely blocked from education and employment and largely live in poverty.

Christians are only three per cent of Pakistan’s population. As a community, they are small, vulnerable and justifiably frightened. They are being targeted by fanatics and all but ignored by the government that should be protecting them. It is a shameful situation, one that the international community should no longer tolerate.