Photo: Flickr / European Union (cc)
Christians in Pakistan frequently face discrimination when having to deal with matters relating to governmental and/or legal concerns. Two recently occurring sexual assault cases demonstrate the ways in which believers often encounter unjust treatment from the authorities because of their faith. (To review other reports addressing the suffering of our Pakistani brothers and sisters in Christ, go to our country profile.)
In late October, a six-year-old girl was raped at a private school in Lahore. When she returned from school, her family noticed blood stains on her clothing, as well as bruises on her body. When the parents asked their child what happened, she told them about the sexual assault, identifying the school's security guard, Husnain, as her attacker.
The parents met with the school principal who told them that the girl had merely fallen, resulting in her injuries. When they shared the truth about what had actually occurred, according to their young daughter's explanation, the principal threatened that they would encounter problems if they sought any legal action. Despite the threats, the parents took their little girl to a local hospital for treatment and filed a complaint with the police. Husnain has since been arrested and, at the time of publishing this report, was being investigated.
The parents believe that Husnain didn't hesitate to attack their daughter because of their family's Christian faith. As members of a minority group in Pakistan, those who practise Christianity generally receive unfair treatment, and thus tend to be financially poor and lack influence within their communities. As a result, believers are frequently perceived as easy targets by their persecutors, who usually face little to no risk of consequential legal implications.
In a separate incident, an 18-year-old Catholic woman was raped at gunpoint on November 7th in the Kot Ranjeet Singh area of Punjab Province. While returning home from work, Imaan Khurrum had been abducted and taken to an abandoned brick kiln where she was beaten and raped.
Imaan's mother believes that her daughter was targeted because of their Christian family's impoverished state. While the incident was reported to the police, and Imaan could identify her attacker, no proper action has been taken by the authorities. According to the young woman's uncle, the police initially took two of the assailant's relatives into custody but then released them after receiving a bribe.
Adding to Imaan's heartbreaking situation, relatives of the accused have been pressuring her family to withdraw their police report. Meanwhile, the lawyer of the victimized teen is calling on the government to ensure that justice is served, and that protection is provided for Imaan and her family.
In the wake of these two devastating incidents, please pray for the physical and emotional healing of the two young victims. Throughout the healing process, may they tangibly sense the strengthening presence and peace of "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). Pray that the Lord's divine compassion, protection and support will supernaturally sustain them and their families as they await justice. In the meantime, may appropriate action be taken against those who are responsible for committing these horrific assaults – ultimately leading to greatly needed cultural and legislative changes to Pakistan's laws so they will apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their faith or social status.
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