Pakistan Church Is Praying For A UKIP Victory in the UK General Election

By Aamir Bashir @Aamir_Here

AS THE battle for the UK general election heats up, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) seems to be drawing support from the most unlikely of places - PAKISTAN

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LEADER: Pastor Francis Bashir is the head of the ‘Royal Disciple’ Christian church in Lahore

Despite the party's reputation for xenophobic gaffes, Pastor Francis Bashir, leader of the Royal Disciple Church in Lahore, has backed Nigel Farage's party at the polls.

Pastor Bashir said UKIP's support for 'Christian values' and the party's pro-Commonwealth stance had made him an avid supporter of UKIP.

SUPPORT: Pastor Francis is praying for a UKIP victory in May's polls, despite the party's history of xenophobic gaffes

He said: "I came to know about Mr Farage and his party, UKIP, after one of my Facebook friends informed me about it.

POSTER BOY: A banner in UKIP colours shows Nigel Farage and Pastor Francis Bashir

"He requested me to pray for the success of UKIP in the upcoming General Election in UK, so we did.

"The same day I organised a full night praying ceremony for the same.

PRAY: A member of the Royal Disciple church prays for a UKIP win

"I am an admirer of UKIP's ideology and work they are doing for humanity. They do not believe in any kind of discrimination."

OVERSEAS AID: Congregants at the Royal Disciple church display their support for the UK party

And despite UKIP's obsession with clamping down on immigration, pastor Bashir said he would love for Mr Farage to visit him in Pakistan.

"If God wishes, I will invite him to Pakistan very soon. It will a matter of great honour to host Mr Farage and UKIP," he said.

COMMON GOALS: Pastor Bashir says he believes Nigel Farage will help bolster 'Christian values' in the UK

"Currently the focus is on the elections and we are continuously praying for his success. After he wins, I am sure he will address the problems of Christians in Pakistan.

"We have high hopes from leaders like Mr Farage."

BELEAGUERED: Many of Pakistan's Christians live in fear following a series of high-profile attacks

IRONY: UKIP have faced accusations of racism over their stringent immigration policy

The Church have even made a giant purple and yellow banner with a large photograph of UKIP leader Nigel Farage, with a slogan reading: "God made you all successful...our prayers is with you to all members of UKIP" - although they did misspell the UKIP leader's name as "Farag".

PARTY POLITICAL: Pastor Bashir said he first heard about UKIP from a friend on Facebook

The pastor made contact with UKIP's Sarinder Joshua Duroch, who is currently director of communications for Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EDFF) - UKIP's group in the European Parliament.

SPELLING MISTAKE: The banner referred to Nigel 'Farag' rather than 'Farage'

Many of Pakistan's Christians are currently living in a state of fear following a spate of attacks on churches in the area, including two suicide bombings in the neighbourhood of Youhana Abad last month.

Mr Farage said: "I am very touched by the prayers and support of the poor in Pakistan who have been heavily persecuted for their religious faith."