Police arrested and tortured a Christian teenager, Farzana (16), after her Muslim employer falsely accused her of theft in Lahore on March 27, according to a March 28 report from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan. Following her arrest from the house of her employer, Muhammad Abid, the police took her to the station where she was tortured and forced to confess to stealing from Abid. The same day, at 11 p.m., the police searched Farzana's home and arrested her elderly father and three brothers, whom they also tortured. Her father and brothers were released the following day when a crowd protested the police's actions.
No formal charge has been issued against Farzana and there is no evidence to indicate her guilt. However, it is common in Pakistan for Muslim employers to falsely accuse Christians of crimes, particularly young Christian girls who are forced to work as house servants.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen and comfort Farzana, providing for her every need (Phil. 4:19). Pray for God's love and grace to abound in her and her family members as they suffer for the sake of their beliefs.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report.
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 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.
On the evening of September 24th, Asif Raza was returning home from work in the Vehari district of Punjab when he was suddenly ambushed by a group of seven assailants. The men brutally assaulted Asif, deliberately targeting his head while striking him repeatedly with bricks.
"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.
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.)
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.)
Population
