Christians in the city of Karachi, Sindh province, Pakistan, are facing threats from local police after filing charges in the murder of an 18-year-old Christian man. On January 6, Waqas Gill was abducted from his home by four police officers. His body was found in a sewer two days later. The Christians who found his remains protested against local police, claiming they covered up Waqas' brutal murder and accused them of delaying an autopsy. Head officials reluctantly filed charges against the four accused officers. An autopsy revealed that Waqas had been raped, tortured and shot with police-revolver bullets.
Waqas' father said that police have since threatened to kill him and other local believers or charge them with false crimes if they do not withdraw the charges against the officers. At least six Christian youth in that area have reportedly been killed in a manner similar to Waqas. A local Christian legislator, Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, condemned the Waqas murder and lamented the police discrimination against Christians: "Day by day, crimes against Christians are increasing, and rape or abuse of Christian women and girls has become a commonplace thing. Life of any of the Christians at any place in Pakistan is not safe."
Pray those who mourn for Waqas will feel God's comfort and trust that He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Pray those involved in his murder will repent and come to receive Jesus as Lord, just as the Apostle Paul did. Pray Christians in Pakistan will continue to trust in God's sovereign justice and compassion, even in the face of tragedy and oppression.
You can find out more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan at the Pakistan Country Report.
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