President Orders Review of Blasphemy Law

 
Pervez Musharraf
President of Pakistan

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced on May 15 that he is calling for a review of some of the country's strict Islamic laws to ensure that they are not being abused. This includes the controversial blasphemy law, which imposes the death penalty for anyone convicted of blaspheming Mohammad or the Koran. According to Reuters, Musharraf said that the blasphemy law needs to be re-examined to ensure that it is not misused by those seeking to settle personal scores. Several Christians have been convicted under this law, often as a result of questionable accusations, though no one has yet been executed.

Pray that this law will be repealed. Pray for those still in prison, charged under this draconian law.

For more information on Christian persecution in Pakistan, click here.

  • 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.

Select a Region

Pakistan News

  • Acquittal for Christian Brothers
    A large group of people is enjoying rides at a carnival.
    A village fair in Pakistan.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Sarwanmemon.muet (cc)

    Twin brothers Sahil and Raheel (also spelled "Rahil") Shahid were arrested in August 2024 and charged with blasphemy. The young Christian men were accused of throwing scraps of paper containing Quranic verses from an amusement park ride. For more details on the original incident, go to this page.

    Read more...

  • Young Teen Kidnapped
    A teenaged girl is sitting in the corner of a dark room. She is covering most of her face with her hands.
      

    On January 9th, a 14-year-old Christian girl was kidnapped just outside her home. The abducted teen's family is concerned that those responsible are planning to forcibly convert her to Islam and then make the young girl marry one of her attackers.

    Read more...

  • Christian Woman Killed, Daughter Wounded
    Women are gathered in a city in Pakistan.
    Women in Pakistan.
    Photo: Voice of America
     

    On January 6th, two Christian women had been returning home from work in Gujranwala when they were approached and shot by two men on a motorcycle. During the attack, Shabana and her 18-year-old daughter Misbah were both struck by bullets. The mother was instantly killed at the scene, while Misbah received a serious bullet wound to her back – requiring urgently needed hospitalization for treatment. At last report, the Christian teen remains in critical condition.

    Read more...

  • Three Christians Shot on Christmas Day
    Arif Masih's wounds are bandaged.
    Arif Masih, one of three men wounded in the attack.
    Photo: Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
     

    Three Christians were injured in a violent attack on Christmas Day outside the home of a pastor in Lahore. The incident happened just one day after a confrontation between Pastor Shahzad Siddique and a group of militant Muslim youth who had been harassing guests at a church event. Speaking of the incident, Pastor Shahzad stated, "I had returned home from church on Christmas Day and was resting when gunmen opened fire on a gathering outside my house in Maryam Colony."

    Read more...

View All

Pakistan Videos

 
Special Video Edition - 2024 in Review - Pakistan
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
 
Pakistan: Strengthening the Embattled Church
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
 
Pakistan: Kidnapped and Left to Die
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2024: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and China
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
 
Pakistan: Muslim Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Murdering Christian Woman
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
 
MOB VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN PAKISTAN: CHURCHES BURNED; HOMES DESTROYED
/component/allvideoshare/category/pk-videos.htm
More