Raza Hayat Hiraj Pakistan's State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs
The government of Pakistan has drafted a bill, called the Criminal Law Amendment Act, intended to revise some of the laws based on a strict interpretation of the Koran. The amendment would make "honor killings" illegal, as well as amending the Hudood ordinances (punishments based on the Koran) and the blasphemy laws. The state minister for law and parliamentary affairs, Raza Hayat Hiraj made the announcement on television on July 8. No details on the proposed amendments have been made available. On July 12, Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain announced that the draft had been referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology. Many Muslim clerics are opposing any change to the laws.
Pakistan's blasphemy law has been frequently misused against Christians. Those accused are typically presumed guilty until proven innocent and often languish in prison for years until their case is heard. There they are often subject to attacks and abuse by guards and inmates and pressured to convert to Islam. At the present time, ten Christians are in prison on blasphemy charges. The law has often been used against Christians simply because of their religious identity or for the personal gain of the accuser.
Pray that this draft bill will bring positive change to Pakistan. Pray for the release of those falsely accused of blasphemy.
Parvez Masih
One of the more blatant abuses of the blasphemy law concerns the arrest in April 2001 of Parvez Masih. Parvez, was the headmaster of a Christian school near Lahore, Pakistan when some of his students asked him if it was true that Mohammed had a nine-year-old wife. Parvez graciously mentioned her name, "Aisha," and told them to look in the Koran. On April 1, 2001 he was arrested and accused of violating Law 295C, blaspheming Mohammed as a result of the testimonies of two of the boys. It is believed that a teacher of a rival high school was involved in an attempt to close the Christian school.
Parvez continues to be held in prison and appears in session court as required but has not yet been sentenced. His family is able to visit him twice a month. You can write Parvez an encouraging note at:
Parvez Masih District Jail Sialkot PAKISTAN
For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.
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.
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.
On the night of March 25th, Adnan Masih and his wife Shumaila were heading home from work on their motorcycle when they were suddenly intercepted by two armed gunmen. After seizing the married couple's cell phone and the small amount of cash they were carrying, the thieves physically beat the Christians and demanded more money. Adnan told the gunmen that he and his wife were poor Christians who had nothing more to give. It was then that the attack became more violent.
On March 17th, Pakistani federal agents took 24-year-old Arsalan Gill into custody on accusations of blasphemy. The charges allege that the Christian believer was responsible for sharing blasphemous content in Facebook groups. His arrest takes place amid a rising number of cases involving entrapment, whereby organized militant groups specifically target members of the country's religious minorities.
Slain victim: Farhan Ul Qamar Photo: Morning Star News
On November 9th, 2023, a follower of Jesus named Farhan Ul Qamar was killed in his family's home by a man who is well-known in the community for his hatred towards Christians and Jews. It is believed that the violence may have been instigated by a minor disagreement that took place the day before the attack. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)
On February 27th, an impoverished Christian man named Wasif Masih was collecting wood along the road when he was confronted by a group of six Muslim landowners. The men verbally abused the believer, referring to him as "chuhra" – a term frequently used in Pakistan to insult Christians. The perpetrators then physically beat Wasif and detained him for four hours on a poultry farm.
Population
