 Christians protest the violence against them Photo from Compass Direct |
Pray for healing for the victims of this brutal violence. Pray that authorities will act justly and with integrity in this case. Pray that suffering Christians in Pakistan will take comfort in the promise of the Lord that those who suffer with Christ will also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17-18).
For more on the persecuted Church in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report.
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
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 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.
In June 2023, Haroon Shahzad posted a Bible passage on his Facebook page without any commentary. Some community members were offended by the post, which eventually led to mob riots. While the authorities were able to avert the resulting violence, hundreds of Christians – including Haroon and his family – were forced to flee their village. Based on the allegations, Haroon was initially charged with blasphemy. (Read further details about his case.)
While Christianity has been a significant part of Pakistan's cultural fabric for centuries, Islam remains the country's dominant religion, thereby controlling much of society. Typically, the suffering of Christians has stemmed from two primary sources: 1) accusations of blasphemy leading to charges and imprisonment, and 2) the kidnapping of young women and girls who are subsequently forced to convert to Islam and marry their captors.
Important Update: A recently released report has provided further information regarding the death of Pastor Kamran Salamat. Authorities have since filed charges against the church leader's wife, Salmina, along with a Muslim man named Najam Ul Saqib, for apparently conspiring together to kill Pastor Kamran. Najam has also been accused of hiring contract killers to carry out the assassination. While the motives behind this tragic incident appear to have changed, one fact remains: a devoted servant of God has been killed, and all those who knew and loved him continue to need prayer.
Pastor Kamran Salamat was widely respected for his ministry work and commitment to promoting interfaith peace. He served as pastor of a church in Islamabad, where he ministered faithfully and advocated for the rights of Christians in Pakistan. As a result of his ministry activities, Pastor Kamran was violently attacked in September and shot in the leg, leaving him seriously injured.
On November 17th, 21-year-old Monica Jennifer disappeared from her home in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province. Several days later, relatives of the resurfaced young Christian woman were heartbroken and fearful when she informed them of her sudden conversion to Islam and recent marriage to her Muslim neighbour.
