Church Attacked During Prayer Service

Young people raising their hands in worship.
A worship service in Pakistan.
Photo: VOMC

Members of the Lala Zarr Church in Peshawar had gathered for a prayer service on the evening of August 3rd when a group of angry men from the neighbourhood suddenly rushed into their place of worship. Initially, the men demanded that the volume of the sound system be reduced. However, shortly after the disruption, several other armed men stormed into the church building that evening, causing panic among the congregation.

The armed men fired several shots inside the building, causing damage but fortunately not hitting anyone. They then vandalized the facility and dragged Pastor Zulfiqar outside, where they assaulted him with the butts of their guns. Due to the attack, the pastor suffered injuries to his head and one of his eyes.

In response to this violence, the National Commission for Human Rights in Peshawar condemned the attack, emphasizing that such incidents are an affront to the core principles of human rights and freedom of religion. As a result, human rights advocates are calling upon the government to ensure that minority communities are safe and that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice. For other reports on incidents of persecution against Pakistan's Christians, go to our country report.

Pray that the perpetrators of this violent incident will be brought to justice and that necessary protections would be provided to the leaders and congregants of Lala Zarr Church, as well as all other believers who are at risk in various areas of the country. May our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan receive ongoing wisdom, guidance and peace as they minister to neighbours in their communities who have yet to understand and accept God's wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

  • 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.)