FAISALABAD, Pakistan — Catholic churches in several parts of Pakistan held special prayer services for an abducted American journalist recently murdered by his Islamic extremist captors.

As news of the death of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl spread, parishes in Lahore Archdiocese, Multan and Faisalabad dioceses and other areas held special prayers and Masses, reported UCA News, Church news agency based in Thailand.

Father Khalid Rashid Asi, chairman of the National Catholic Press Association, said Pearl's death strengthened Pakistani Catholics' resolve to fight religious extremism and terrorism in their country.

The priest said the Pakistani government has “come down hard” on religious extremism in the country.

“It is now time for us all to strengthen the hand of the government to fight the evils prevailing,” he said.

“The death of Pearl only points to the intensity of the crime. There is no easy way forward, but let us pledge to be peaceful and struggle together now that the government has declared equal voting rights for all,” he said.

Father Patrick Yousaf, a parish priest working with rural workers, told UCA News that Pearl's death “shows how extremist thinking is still prevalent in Pakistan.”

He called on people to help “the government fight this evil.”

Tariq Farooq, a Muslim human rights activist, said Pearl's death could provide additional impetus for Christian-Muslim collaboration.

“Pakistanis have been fighting terrorism in one form or another for a long time. The challenge for Christians and Muslims of this country is to jointly wage a struggle against evil elements in society,” he said.

Pearl was abducted in the southern seaport of Karachi Jan. 23; media sources confirmed his death Feb. 22.

A videotape containing footage of Pearl being killed reportedly was sent to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan.