 Christians protest the violence against them Photo from Compass Direct |
Pray for healing for the victims of this brutal violence. Pray that authorities will act justly and with integrity in this case. Pray that suffering Christians in Pakistan will take comfort in the promise of the Lord that those who suffer with Christ will also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17-18).
For more on the persecuted Church 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.
Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
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 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 February 11th, the governor of Punjab, Pakistan, signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect. The bill raised the minimum age for marriage, providing greater protections for the country's vulnerable youth. It is hoped that this law will now help prevent the kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls. (Further details about the newly implemented legislation are available in this report.)
On February 11th, the governor of Punjab signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect. This recently implemented law aims to raise the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 and establish penalties for violation. Those advocating for the protection of the country's youth describe the legislation as a "moral and social victory." (For more details, see our previously published report.)
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.
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.
