Pakistan

On average, one Christian is murdered and one arrested (mostly on blasphemy charges) every month. Kidnapping and physical harassment occur even more frequently and attacks on the property of Christians and churches occur almost every week. Discrimination affects virtually every aspect of daily life such as education, health, livelihood and housing. Opening a new church building is almost impossible. There is no law against apostacy; however, if conversion become known, they will be treated under the blasphemy laws, and the act is punishable by death. Attacks on Christian meeting places/homes occur frequently, and usually Christians are not compensated for their materials losses.

Examples of Persecution:

• Malik Paloos left Islam for Christianity in September 2001. His family disowned him and filed a police complaint against hime because he was said to have committed "blasphemy."
• Police and cohorts of a retired military official beat two Christian women, and then shot at Christians who cam to help them
• A Christian couple is facing false charges of theft after police severely beat the pregnant woman and her husand for three days because they refused to confess

Open Doors is: sponsoring programs for literacy and women's training.

Please Pray:

• For God's blessing on believers attending literacy programs enabling them to read the Bible and gain vital livelihood skills
• That pastors caring for their flock in very difficult circumstances will have wisdom, skill and strength
• For believers experiencing death threats and harassment, and for Shahbaz Bhatti, the first Christian Federal Minister for Minorities.