The governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his own bodyguard in Islamabad on January 4, allegedly because he spoke out against the country's controversial blasphemy law.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the guard told police that he killed Taseer because of the governor's opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law. Taseer recently made headlines for speaking out against the law, which was used to sentence Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, who was convicted of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Friends of the governor say he knew he was risking his life by speaking out.
Pray the Lord will use the work of Salman Taseer for His good purposes and for the benefit of the Church in Pakistan. Pray there will be great support for reform. Pray the Lord will raise up other leaders who are willing to speak up for the Christian minority in Pakistan.
For more on believers suffering for serving Christ in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.
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.
Religion (%) Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)
Leader President Arif Alvi (2018)
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.
In February 2018, 17-year-old Patras Masih allegedly shared content on social media which some found to be blasphemous. In the wake of this post, riots broke out in his neighbourhood of Lahore. Patras was taken into custody and authorities also tortured his cous
In 2014, two Pakistani brothers, Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, were arrested and accused of blasphemy for posting online material – allegations that go back to 2009. In 2018, both Christian men were found guilty and subsequently sentenced to death (see this report). Since that time, there have been appea
Saba Masih is a teenage girl from Faisalabad, Pakistan. The young Christian was walking with her older sister Muqadas on the morning of May 20th when they were approached by four men, including their neighbour Muhammad Yasir. The men forced Saba into a rickshaw and then fled.
Pastor Adam has faced repeated death threats because of his ministry work among Pakistani Christians who have converted from a Muslim background. During Ramadan, Islamic zeal runs particularly high, which can lead to religiously motivated violence by militants. Such was the case on the night of Apri
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