Authorities Attempt to Silence a Voice for Equality

Shahbaz Bhatti is no stranger to threats and harassment. As chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), he has raised the voice of persecuted Christians in Pakistan since 1985. For the past several months, threats have increased. Anonymous phone calls warn him to stop his work or face death. He has been threatened by government security agencies with severe punishment. According to sources, he faces arrest and imprisonment at any time. His name has recently been added to Pakistan's Exit Control List, normally reserved for criminals and dissidents, meaning that he is no longer able to travel outside the country.

Despite the threats, Bhatti is determined to continue. In a letter to The Voice of the Martyrs, Bhatti said, "In spite of government intimidations that may jeopardize my life I am determined to carry on this struggle for the amelioration of minorities and the most dejected class of my countrymen. I am ready to even sacrifice my life for the mission of peace, preservation of Human rights and dignity, alleviation of discrimination and victimization perpetuated by the extremist forces for the attainment of their vested interests."

 Shahbaz Bhatti
Shahbaz Bhatti

Pray for Shahbaz Bhatti and his continued ministry to the Christian minority in Pakistan. Pray for wisdom and endurance during this time of challenge. We encourage you to contact the Pakistani authorities, politely calling on them to remove his name from the Exit Control List and protect him from danger and injustice. You can fax Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at 92-51-9224768 or contact the Pakistani Embassy in your country. For contact information for the Pakistani embassy in your country, follow the links from our website at https://www.vomcanada.com/links.htm.
  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry

  • Country Information

    Population
    247,653,551 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

    Leader
    President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Common law system with Islamic law influence

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Pakistan

    Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.

Pakistan News

  • Zafar Bhatti Dies Shortly After Acquittal
    Brother Zafar has an orange shirt on and is looking directly at the viewer.
    Zafar Bhatti
    Photo: Release International

    Zafar Bhatti was imprisoned in July 2012, following accusations that he had sent blasphemous text messages from his cell phone. Over the years, at least 47 separate appeal hearings were held on behalf of the Christian believer. Despite repeated recommendations from prison authorities for his release on medical grounds, Zafar remained in custody. In 2019, he suffered two minor heart attacks, and doctors warned that a third could be fatal. (View previous reports on Zafar's case.)

  • Justice Delayed in Jaranwala
    Furniture and possessions are strewn on a street. Some of them are burning.
    The riots in 2023.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    Incensed by allegations of blasphemy against two falsely accused Christian brothers, thousands of angry people stormed a Christian colony in Jaranwala, Punjab, on August 16th, 2023. The mob destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses before the violence was eventually brought under control. (Video footage of the attack is available here.)