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Pakistan

• Family of Slain Pastor Threatened

  After more than a month since the murder of Pastor Mukhtar Masih at a train station in Khanewal on January 7, no one has been arrested. It became apparent shortly after the murder that police were attempting to cover up the incident, calling it a cardiac arrest.

  On February 16, Shabbaz Bhatti from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance informed VOM that Mukhtar's family has been facing threats and harassment. They received a letter stating that Mukhtar's killers were professionals who were seeking opportunities to kill the family as well. His son, Musa Mukhtar, and daughter Nomee have been chased and harassed. His wife, Parveen Bibi, has said that the family fears for their lives, "we need prayers and solidarity from our brothers and sisters in Christ."

  Pray for protection and peace for this family as they face this danger at a time when they are dealing with the loss of their father and husband. Pray that those responsible for these acts will be found and prosecuted.

  For more information on persecution in Pakistan, go tohttps://www.vomcanada.com/pakistan.htm.

• Gunmen Attack Church Service

  As many as six men with semi-automatic rifles entered St. Paul's Church in Patoki, Pakistan during an evening prayer service on January 25 and opened fire. No one was injured in the attack, but several rounds were fired as they shouted, "We will teach you a lesson and even demolish your church."

  Shahbaz Bhatti

  According to the pastor, Rev. Saleem Gill, three of the men (Azad Hussein, Mohammad Ali and Amanat Ali) owned a butcher shop across the street and had caused problems in the past by throwing animal parts into the compound, playing loud music to disturb the services and shouting obscenities. When church leaders asked them to stop on January 24, they threatened to destroy the church. According to people in the area, these men have caused problems with Christians in the past, especially since September 11, 2001. According to a report received on January 29 from Shahbaz Bhatti of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, no arrests had yet been made, despite knowing the identity of the men.

  Pray that these men who attacked the church will see the love of Christ. Pray for peace and emotional healing for the members of St. Paul's Church.

  For more information on persecution in Pakistan, go tohttps://www.vomcanada.com/pakistan.htm.

• Death Sentence Given in Hospital Attack

  Those who have been following the plight of Christians in Pakistan for the past several years will likely remember an attack on a Presbyterian hospital in Taxila on August 9, 2002. Three nurses were killed and twenty-three injured when grenades were thrown into a chapel where staff was meeting for a morning prayer service. One of the attackers was also killed in the attack. The hospital, founded in 1922, specialized in eye diseases mostly for poor Muslims in the area. While the hospital did receive some foreign funding and was Christian-based, the hospital was staffed by Pakistanis.

  According to a January 23 report from Associated Press, three men have been found guilty and sentenced to death for the attack. Another three were released for lack of evidence.

  Pray that there will be no retaliation against Christians as a result of this verdict and that Christian agencies throughout Pakistan will be able to continue their work of meeting the spiritual and physical needs of Pakistanis.

  For more information on persecution in Pakistan, go tohttps://www.vomcanada.com/pakistan.htm.

• Arrest Made in Bible Society Bombing

  As reported in the special edition Persecution and Prayer Alert of January 15, 2004, the Bible Society library in Karachi, Pakistan, along with the adjoining Holy Trinity Anglican Church, was damaged when an explosive device was thrown from a motorcycle, followed a few minutes later with a powerful car bomb. More than eleven people were injured, though none seriously.

  Two days after the attack, police reported the arrest of Shamim Ahmed, 25, a member of a banned militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Following information gained from his interrogation, police later raided a bomb-making factory in the city. According to the deputy inspector-general of the Karachi police, they found hand-made grenades, remote-control devices, parcel bombs and two bombs ready to be used, each weighing ten kilograms.

  Bishop John Alexander Malik

  The day after the bombing, the Sindh governor, Ishratul Ebad Khan, visited the site along with John Alexander Malik, the Anglican bishop of Lahore, and the director of the Pakistan Bible Society, Anthony Lamuel. The governor announced that the government would cover the repair costs to the buildings.

  There are questions whether the intended target of the bombing was the Christians in the area or the police guarding the property. Regardless, Christians in Pakistan have been made to feel particularly vulnerable because of this bombing.

  Continue to pray for those injured in the explosions. Pray that the work of the Bible Society will continue, despite nervousness.

  For pictures of the attack, click here. For more more information on challenges facing Christians in Pakistan, follow the links from our website athttps://www.vomcanada.com/pakistan.htm.

• Police Charged with Contempt of Court

  Funeral for a victim of the September 2002 attack

  On September 25, 2002, gunmen burst into the offices of the Institute for Peace and Justice in Karachi, binding and then shooting seven people in an execution-style attack. Only one witness remained alive, a worker at the centre named Robin Piranditta, who was beaten by the attackers but lived. Soon he began facing police harassment, implicating him in the attack. He was arrested but, after facing torture from the authorities, the courts eventually ordered that he be released. However, as he left the courthouse on October 22, 2002, he was immediately rearrested and officially declared a suspect in the attack. He was later released.

  According to a report by Jang News, on Monday, January 19, 2004, a division bench of the Sindh High Court announced that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Qasim Ghouri and Inspector Tassarud Mehmood of the Crime Investigation Department, would be arraigned on charges of contempt of court because of the arrest at the courthouse. Their court date was set for February 9.

  Because of the strong Islamic influence in Pakistan, the police and courts have frequently been less than favorable toward Christians. This court action is seen as a positive step in ensuring justice for all. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will find equality and justice, as they face persecution and harassment from militant groups in Pakistan, as well as the authorities.

  For more information on Pakistan,click here.

• Car Bombing at Bible Society Injuries Eleven

  A car bombing outside the Bible Society office in Karachi in southern Pakistan on January 15, 2004, injured at least eleven people. Prior to the attack, police had received notice that the Bible Society office would be targeted and so were on guard when the explosion happened. A motorcycle drove by and a small explosive device, possibly a fire cracker, was thrown at the officers. Several minutes later, while investigating the first explosion, a nearby car bomb exploded. Several vehicles in close proximity were destroyed and one wall of the historic Holy Trinity Anglican Church was seriously damaged. Among the injured are six police officers and two employees of the Bible Society, none seriously. Click here for pictures of the attack.

  Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Karachi

  This is the first attack of this type against Christians in Pakistan in over a year. No one has yet claimed responsibility. According to VOM spokesman, Glenn Penner, "I have a deep concern that this is only the beginning of a rising swell of violence against Christians in Pakistan. Islamic militantism is by no means under control in this nation. We need to be praying for the government of Pakistan and praying that Christians will be wise in knowing how to conduct themselves in these increasingly dangerous days."

  Pray for a quick recovery for those injured in this attack. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice.

  For more information on persecution in Pakistan, click here.

• Police Appear to Cover Murder

  Despite protests and demands from Christians in Khanewal, Pakistan, there have been no arrests yet in the shooting death of Pastor Mukhtar Barkat Masih on January 5 (read the details). Adding to the concerns of the local Christians, there have been indications that authorities would prefer to cover up the case rather than investigate it. According to a report received on January 9, the Station Head Officer of the Khanewal Railway Police station Malik Mukhtar Awan released a statement on January 7 claiming that Masih had died of cardiac arrest, despite the postmortem report which clearly showed that he had been shot twice in the chest. Police have also indicated the possibilities of personal enmity or internal church rivalries, despite claims from family and church members that Masih had been threatened in the past.

  Pray that the truth will come out in this case and that authorities will find the one responsible for this murder. Pray for safety for Christian workers throughout Pakistan.

• Pastor Murdered

  Gunmen shot and killed a pastor at a railway station in central Pakistan on January 5. Mukhtar Masih, pastor of the Church of God in Khurrampra, had arrived at the railway station at Khanewal around 3:00 a.m. to catch a train to Lahore, when he was shot twice in the chest by unidentified gunmen. At last report, there was no indication who the killers were, but the deputy superintendent of police in Khanewal, Mohammed Shahzad, told Associated Press that it appeared to be an act of terrorism. Money and other valuables were not taken, ruling out robbery. According to his son, Mukhtar had previously received threats from Islamic militants attempting to close down the church. Mukhtar had six daughters and one son.

  Pray that the family will know the strength of God's grace in the midst of their grief. Pray that those responsible for this death will be found. Pray for the church as they mourn the loss of their pastor.

  For more information on persecution facing Christians in Pakistan, go toPakistan's Country Report.

• Christian Arrested Under Blasphemy Law

  On November 28, a Christian labourer, Anwar Masih, was arrested and charged for blasphemy after a heated discussion with an acquaintance, Naseer Ahmad, who had converted to Islam three months earlier. According to news reports, the complainant, Ahmad was visiting his Christian mother in the town of Shadhra on the outskirts of Lahore when he got into a discussion on Islam with his mother's neighbour, Masih. During the discussion, Ahmad alleged to police, Masih became angry and blasphemed Mohammad.

  Pakistani Christians have often protested against the Blasphemy Law 295-C

  When Ahmad told other neighbours about the discussion, they gathered a mob together and attacked Masih's home, pelting it with stones. When police arrived, they arrested Masih, ignoring the attack on his home. According to one report, there had been prior enmity between Ahmad and Masih's family and it is believed that these charges are intended as an act of revenge. If convicted of blasphemy under section 295c, Masih could face the death penalty.
  Pray for Anwar Masih and many others facing prison or death under this law which is frequently used for personal gain. Pray that the government will repeal the law. Pray that the arguments of Masih's accusers will fall into disarray and that he will be released.
   

• Travel Ban Lifted for Religious Rights Leader

  On Friday, November 28, The Voice of the Martyrs received the welcome news that the Pakistani government has removed Shahbaz Bhatti, chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) and a leading voice for religious liberty in Pakistan, from the country's Exit Control List. This list is normally reserved for criminals and dissidents and made it impossible for Mr. Bhatti to travel outside the country since mid-October.

  At Shahbaz' request, we want to thank all of you who wrote to the Pakistani authorities on his behalf. We urge you to continue to uphold him in your prayers as he labours on behalf of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.