Christian brutally murdered

25 March 2010

Six Muslims in Khanewal district, southern Punjab province, used an axe to kill a Christian when he refused to convert to Islam. The six men had threatened to kill 36-year-old Rasheed Masih when they grew resentful of his potato business succeeding beyond their own. The rival merchants allegedly killed him after luring him to their farmhouse on March 9, leaving him on a roadside near Kothi Nand Singh village in the early hours of the next day. Rasheed was a devoted Christian, and both he and his brother Asi had refused the Muslims' pressure to convert to Islam. Police have registered a case against the six men and an investigation is underway, but the suspects remained at large at last report. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for Asi and others mourning the loss of Rasheed. Pray that those involved in his murder will be brought to justice. Pray that authorities will strive to provide safety for vulnerable Christians and other minorities in Pakistan.

To find out more about persecution in Pakistan, please visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Pakistan

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.