Pakistan: Paying the Price

Pakistan is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and often described as a failed state. Its government and military leaders struggle to control domestic insurgents like the Taliban. The country also suffers from chronic sectarian and religiously motivated violence, including attacks against the followers of Christ. Yet, in spite of the many obstacle and dangers, there are Christian leaders who are willing to pay the price to expand God's Kingdom in this Muslim nation. VOM Canada's Greg Musselman reports on some of these amazing and committed Gospel workers.

February 2015
Length 15:30
From The Voice of the Martyrs Canada

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

Christian Teen Labourer Forcibly Converted

A village in Punjab.
Photo: Pexels / Rana Saif

A 14-year-old Christian boy from a village in Punjab has reportedly been forcibly converted to Islam by his employer and separated from his family. The boy, Jameel Masih, is the son of a poor labourer named Sharif. Due to financial hardships, Sharif was compelled to send his son to work at a local cattle farm. Instead of paying wages for the young teen's labour, the owner – Muhammad Boota Bajwa – supplied the family with wheat. Jameel's parents were permitted to visit their son once a month and occasionally bring him home overnight.

Read more...
New Legislation Against Child Marriages in Punjab

Governor of Punjab,
Sardar Saleem Haider Khan
Photo: Wikipedia (CC)

For Christian girls in Pakistan, the threat of kidnapping is a very real danger. Once abducted, these minors are often sexually assaulted, coerced into converting to Islam, and then forcibly married to their kidnappers. Thankfully, recent legislative action is offering new hope for justice and greater protections from such devastating abuse.

Read more...
Kidnapped Girl Returned to Her Home

Girls in Pakistan.
Photo: Flickr / European Union (CC)

In a ruling being lauded as a "powerful win for justice," the Lahore High Court has ordered that a 13-year-old Christian girl be immediately returned to her parents. This decision was announced on January 12th, two weeks after she was abducted while walking along a street. The kidnapping incident took place on December 29th when Aneeqa left her home in Sheikhupura to purchase groceries for her family. Following the incident, the girl's abductor – a man identified as Aslam – falsified her age, claimed that she had converted to Islam, and then forced her to marry him.

Read more...
Haroon Shahzad Acquitted

Haroon Shahzad and his attorney.
Photo: Christian Daily International /
Morning Star News

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.)

Read more...