David Cameron invited Wilson Chowdhry, the chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA) to Number 10 Downing Street to hear him speak about the state of Christianity around the world.

At his Easter reception earlier this month, the Prime Minister said: “I hope we can do more to raise the profile of the persecution of Christians around the world.

“It is the case today that our religion is now the most persecuted religion around the world. I think Britain can play a leading role in this.”

Mr Chowdhry said he raised the issue of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws with the PM.

Speaking after the event, he said: “Mr Cameron’s promised efforts on behalf of the victims of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws is welcome news.

“However, against this we must not underestimate the deeply entrenched support for the blasphemy laws amongst the significant portion of the Pakistani population and elite that is, shall we say, rather retrograde.

Mr Chowdhry attended the reception with his wife Juliet.