Christian persecution growing daily in Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan are facing the most severe persecution for years, following the killing of Osama bin Laden, according to partners of Release International, a worldwide ministry to the persecuted Church.
The Release partner, who cannot be named for his own protection, says ‘Ten years ago there was some peace, but now it’s getting very tense. Day by day the situation is getting worse in Pakistan.’
Christians are also suffering because of the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The Christian faith is often associated with the West, and as the war continues hostility towards Christians deepens. Release’s partner says those who turn to Christ are liable to be killed or live a very difficult existence.
‘They are isolated and live in secret and receive death threats from their relatives and friends,’ he said. Several Christians who have been forced to live in hiding tell their stories in the latest edition of Release magazine.
The claim that persecution is worsening in Pakistan is backed up by the World Council of Churches. During a recent visit, reported by Ekklesia, church leaders told the WCC that Christians ‘live in an atmosphere of insecurity. The existence of Christians has never been threatened as it is today, and the situation has gone from bad to worse.’
The head of the WCC has called for protection for Pakistan’s religious minorities.
A former Islamic cleric told Release he had to flee for his life after he had a vision of Christ in a dream.
‘Peter’’ had taught in the mosque for 11 years, when he said Christ appeared to him. ‘Jesus Christ said to me that he had purchased me by giving his blood.’
Peter was forced to flee his home after word spread that he had become a Christian. His wife took out a court order that resulted in him not being able to see his children for three years.
‘It was the toughest time of my life,’ he told Release, ‘because my colleagues were after me to kill me. They were very angry and wanted to take my life.’
Peter’s wife later relented after she said God appeared to her also in a dream. However, Peter is still on the run and avoids public places. Even so, he told Release: ‘I am very happy being a Christian. Even in the suffering, the persecution, every problem, every difficulty makes me strong in the faith.’
‘Michael’, another man from a Muslim background, turned to Christ after his mother was healed after being prayed for by a Christian pastor.
His family tied him up, beat him and locked him in a room. ‘They decided they would kill me in the night and throw my body somewhere in the dark,’ he told Release.
He said God answered his prayers by making it possible for him to escape. Now he, too, is forced to live in hiding. ‘If my family found me they would kill me. Sometimes I stand weeping when I feel that my own family members are against me. But when I look at the cross, my tears stop and He gives me comfort.’
Through its international network of missions
Release International
serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.