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Pakistan

  • Women's Prayer Meeting Attacked On March 16, more than sixty women had gathered in a church in Miskeen Musharaf Colony in Islamabad, Pakistan for prayer and fasting.  According to a Pakistani source, more than 150 people attacked the women, grabbing them by the hair and torturing them as well as damaging the church property.  The Pakistani news agency, Dawn, reports that the local Muslim Imam objected to the construction of the church building located about 100 metres from the mosque.  The Imam reportedly led the attack on the women, along with his students. A representative from the All Pakistan Alliance, Abida Shaikh, told Dawn that the church had surveyed the neighbourhood before building.  Of the seventy-five households, only eight were Muslim and none objected to the church building. 

    The church building was sealed by authorities following this incident.  When the chairman of the All Pakistan Alliance for Katchi, Abadis Bashir Buttar, arrived to protest the incident, he was arrested by police, along with another Christian, Mian Qasim.  They were released the next day on bail.

    Pray for a continued ministry in this neighbourhood.  Pray that those who oppose this church will see the Spirit of God working in the lives of the Christians.

    For more information on the difficulties experienced by Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Police Delay Investigating Kidnapping

    On February 8, thirteen-year-old Fozia Zafar was kidnapped by three young Muslim men while going to visit her uncle near her home in Alipur Chattah, Pakistan.  Despite an eye-witness and even confessions from two of those involved, police repeatedly refused to register the case.  The case was registered only after Fozia's father issued a complaint to the Divisional Police Officer two weeks later.  Police are holding two of the young men, while the whereabouts of the third, along with Fozia, is unknown.

    Zafar Masih and Razia Bibi (parents of Fozia)
    along with their four children.  
    Photo from CLAAS.
    While it is not certain that Fozia was kidnapped specifically because she is a Christian, it is clear that police did not take proper action in response. This sort of treatment is often experienced by Christians in Pakistan when they seek legal help.  Representatives from CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) met with the family and local authorities, who assured the CLAAS team that the Christians will receive equal treatment under the law. However, since the initial meeting with CLAAS, Fozia's father, Zafar Masih, has been dismissed from his job at the Municipal Corporation and influential Muslims in the community are pressuring him to withdraw the case against the young men.

    Pray for Fozia's safe and soon return to her family.  Pray that the authorities will actively pursue this case and bring about justice.  Pray for peace and strength for the family.

    For more information on the difficulties Christians face in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian in Hiding After Court Acquittal

    On January 12, VOM reported on the acquittal of Anwar Masih, after he had been accused under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.  Compass Direct reports that this is the first time a lower court has acquitted a Christian of blasphemy.  However Anwar has been unable to join his wife and four children because of fear for his life.  Members of a militant Islamic group, Lashkar-e-Mujahideen (Islamic Religious Army), have vowed to kill him over his alleged remarks against Mohammed.  He now joins several other Pakistani Christians who have been cleared of charges but are forced to seek asylum abroad because of continued death threats.

    Pray that Anwar will find asylum in a safe location and that his family will be able to join him.  Pray that his family will be kept safe from any harm.

    For more information on the difficulties faced by those living for Christ in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian Woman Abducted and Beaten

    On January 10, 58-year-old Hanifan Bibi and her family were abducted and tortured for two days and then taken to the police accused of stealing from her employer.  From all indications, however, her "crime" was her faith in Christ.

    Hanifan had worked for twenty-two years as a domestic servant to help support her family.  According to a press release from the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), her Muslim employer, Saeedan Batni, along with two other men, broke into her home and abducted her, along with her husband, son, and nephew.  After taking them to an unknown location, they stripped Hanifan, hung her upside down and beat her with a hot iron pipe.  They also beat and kicked her husband, Kala, and son Pervaiz.  After holding them for two days without food and water, they were taken to the police station where Hanifan was accused of stealing from her employer.

    CLAAS is endeavouring to pressure the Pakistani authorities to take this incident seriously.  Hanifan is not the only such case.  The majority of Christian women are poor and illiterate and usually do not report such incidents for fear of their employers.

    Pray for healing for Hanifan and her family.  Pray that the authorities will take action against Saeedan Batni and the other men involved in this incident.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian Acquitted of Blasphemy

    In November 2003, a Christian labourer, Anwar Masih, was arrested and charged with blasphemy.  The incident arose from a heated discussion with a recent convert to Islam.  For more information, click here.  According to a January 6 report from CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) in Pakistan, Anwar was acquitted on December 17.  Anwar's lawyer had argued that the evidence against him was strictly hearsay.

    Praise God for this decision and pray that others facing similar charges under Pakistan's blasphemy laws will be acquitted and that previous convictions will be overturned.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Amendments to Blasphemy Law Fail to Satisfy

    Amendments to the controversial Section 295-C were passed by Pakistan 's National Assembly on Oct. 26 in an effort to prevent some of the abuses that have plagued the law.  However, those amendments have failed to satisfy the Christian community who sees the changes as inadequate and useless.

    Section 295-C state that "whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him] shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine."  In the past, the blasphemy law has been used by Muslims as a way of harassing Christians, settling personal disputes, as well as a means for financial gain.  According to AsiaNews, since the law was instituted in 1986, 579 people have been charged and thirty are still waiting for the courts' decisions.

    Parvez Masih is presently in prison on charges under Section 295-C

    In an attempt to stem abuse, the amendments state that only senior police officers will be able to investigate blasphemy cases.  They will also not be able to file criminal charges until after investigating the allegations.  Normally charges have been filed as soon as the allegations are reported.  However, since the abuse of this law has been so widespread, many Christian organizations doubt that these amendments will bring any significant change. 

    Pray that this section of the criminal code will be completely repealed at that those in prison under this law will be released.  Pray for those suffering in prison, falsely accused of blasphemy and other crimes.

    For more information on the difficulties facing the Church in Pakistan,click here.
  • Arrest Warrants Issued Against Police Officers

     
    Sindh High Court, Karachi

    Arrest warrants were issued on October 4 against two police officers in Karachi, Pakistan for contempt of court. The charges relate to an incident in October 22, 2002, when the police ignored a ruling by the Sindh High Court, arresting a Christian as he left the court building after the Court ordered released.

    Robin Peranditta had been arrested at the scene of an attack against a Christian welfare organization, despite evidence that he was a victim in the attack rather than an accomplice. The police held him for four weeks, torturing him. The court finally ordered that he be released, which is when he was abducted by police outside the court building.

    Pray that justice will be done in this case and that those responsible for the original attack which killed seven staff members will be arrested and prosecuted.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian May Face Blasphemy Charges; Relatives Tortured for Information

    In late August, Asghar Masih got into a heated discussion with another man, Haji Anwar over a land dispute Masih was involved in. As a result of that exchange, Masih fears that he will be accused of blasphemy under Pakistan's controversial law, 295-C. Under that law, he could face the death penalty if convicted.

    Though no arrest warrants have yet been issued, Masih has gone into hiding, with the assistance of CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement). Despite no charges yet being filed, CLAAS reports that on September 9, police detained his father, Bagh Masih, as well as his uncle and his brother and tortured them for information about Asghar.

    Muslims in Pakistan have frequently used the blasphemy laws against Christians, often to gain an advantage in personal or financial disputes. Pray for safety and protection for Asghar Masih. Pray that his relatives will be released. Pray that this law will be overturned by the Pakistani government.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Tortured To Death in Police Custody

    Sources for The Voice of the Martyrs in Pakistan report that a 26-year-old Christian man, Nasir Masih, died in police custody on August 19, after being arrested on false theft charges. According to Nasir's father, Mukhtar Masih, some young Muslims took Nasir from his home in Baldia, Shiekhupura, pretending to be friendly. Several hours later, police informed the family that charges of theft had been brought against him by the Muslim men.

    While holding him at the police station, police alledgedly tortured Nasir, who was transferred to the local hospital where he died.

    As a result of this death, hundreds of local Christians demonstrated in front of the local municipal office. Police used batons and fired shots into the air to break up the demonstration. Seventeen people were arrested, including two pastors. The pastors and two others were later released, but ten remain in custody. Charges have been laid for rioting and obstructing traffic.

    A case has been registered against ten people, including six police officers, for the murder of Nasir, but, at last report, there have been no arrests.

    Pray for the family of Nasir, as they suffer through their grief. Pray that Christians will demonstrate the love of Christ in the midst of their calls for justice. Pray for protection for Christians who frequently face violence at the hands of police, as well as Islamic militants.

    It is not uncommon for Christians to be falsely accused of various crimes in Pakistan. A Pakistan-based interdenominational agency, The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), estimates that there are over 1500 Christians in prison on false charges in Punjab alone. The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will feature an article on Christian prisoners in Pakistan and how you can help them and their families. Click here to subscribe today.

    For more information on persecution facing Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Witnesses Withdraw Statements in Fear

    On Christmas Day, 2002, a bomb was thrown through the window of a church in Chianwali, Pakistan, killing three girls and injuring several others (click here for details). The attackers were identified by witnesses. However, according to a July 30 report from Jubilee Campaign, the main witness has recently withdrawn his statement because of threats against him. Another witness has likewise withdrawn an earlier statement. While the case has been weakened, the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) remain hopeful that justice will be done in this case.

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