A Christian bookstore owner is facing blasphemy charges due to the allegations of a local Muslim, his former business partner, in Punjab province, Pakistan. Ten years ago, Gulzar Masih opened a bookstore in Sialkot along with a Muslim associate, Abdul Rauf. In 2009, the men parted ways and each currently run separate bookstores. On May 1, within the precincts of the local police station, Rauf started shouting in front of a crowd that Gulzar and his son had burned the Qur'an and thrown it on the road. A group of Muslims then gathered to attack Gulzar's son. He was able to flee, however, and warn his father. The Muslims went to Gulzar's bookstore and attempted to burn it down, but police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Police allegedly tried to initiate a case against Gulzar, but local Christian elders and moderate Muslims intervened and found the story to be without basis. At last report, Gulzar and his family members were hiding out at an undisclosed location.
Ask God to give endurance of hope and faith to Gulzar and his family. Pray his case will highlight the injustice of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws and that such legislation will be abolished. Pray the Lord will not allow Pakistani believers to be discouraged, but to be emboldened as they serve a loving and sovereign Lord.
Find out more about the treatment of believers in Pakistan by visiting 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 February 27th, an impoverished Christian man named Wasif Masih was collecting wood along the road when he was confronted by a group of six Muslim landowners. The men verbally abused the believer, referring to him as "chuhra" – a term frequently used in Pakistan to insult Christians. The perpetrators then physically beat Wasif and detained him for four hours on a poultry farm.
Waqas Masih. Photo: HARDS Pakistan via Morning Star News
A 22-year-old Christian man was brutally attacked by his supervisor at a paper mill in Sharaqpur, Punjab, when he refused to renounce his faith in Christ. Having sustained severe injuries to his throat on March 21st, Waqas Masih was hospitalized in Lahore where his condition has been reported as critical but stable.
Lahore High Court Photo: Wikipedia / MariyamAftab (cc)
On March 6th, Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Lahore High Court unexpectedly resigned from his judicial post as a court official, effective immediately. The judge cited "personal issues" as the reason for his resignation.
Saba Shafique and her mother. Photo: Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
On January 5th, 12-year-old Saba Shafique was abducted from her home in Lahore, Pakistan, and forced to convert to Islam before being married to her abductor. This devastating incident occurred despite the country's laws prohibiting child marriage.