In September 2005, Ribqa Masih was kidnapped, drugged and repeatedly raped over a period of several days. Her captors threatened to kill her if she did not convert to Islam (click here for more details). One of the two men accused was denied bail and is currently in custody. The other man, Muhammad Kashif, initially fled the courthouse when he was denied bail. He was later recaptured but was released on bail in December because of illness. According to a July 7 report from Compass Direct, Kashif now lives only a few blocks away from Ribqa and has repeatedly threatened her and her father, insisting that they drop the case against him. Continue to pray for Ribqa and her family.
Rape Victim Harrassed by Accused
- 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 republicLegal system
Common law system with Islamic law influenceSource: 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.
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Pakistan News
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Fake Facebook Account Sparks Blasphemy Allegations
Photo: Pixabay / umarseehar "No Christian in Pakistan, fully aware of the devastating consequences, would intentionally publish or write anything that could be perceived as blasphemous against Islam." This statement by Father Lazar Aslam was made in response to recent allegations against a young Christian man, Asher Bhatti, whose case has sparked widespread concerns among religious freedom advocates.
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Zafar Bhatti Dies Shortly After Acquittal
Zafar Bhatti
Photo: Release InternationalZafar 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.)
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Justice Delayed in Jaranwala
The riots in 2023.
Photo: Morning Star NewsIncensed 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.)
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Catholic Pilgrim Killed During Van Attack
Afzal Masih, surrounded by his loved ones.
Photo: Morning Star NewsIn the early morning hours of September 7th, a van carrying as many as 18 Catholics was travelling to a pilgrimage site in Mariamabad when three young men on motorbikes intercepted the vehicle by swerving in front of it. The motorcyclists had noticed a cross and Christian posters on the outside of the travelling van.
