urge William Hague to obtain guarantees from foreign governments before they are given aid. three-quarters of all religious persecution in the world is now directed at Christians

Cardinal Keith O’Brien accused the Foreign Secretary of doubling overseas aid to Pakistan to more than £445 million without demanding religious freedom for Christians and other religious minorities, such as Shia Muslims.

He claimed that three-quarters of all religious persecution in the world is now directed at Christians, resulting in a collapse in the number of followers in some Middle East countries.

The cardinal was speaking ahead of the launch of a report into Christian persecution, which suggests it is getting worse in 22 of 34 ‘problem’ countries identified.

Earlier this month, Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian in the Pakistani government's cabinet, was shot dead by gunmen in Islamabad. He had previously spoken out against Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Cardinal O’Brien, the head of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “I urge William Hague to obtain guarantees from foreign governments before they are given aid.