Key Facts WWL Ranking: 15 Leader: President Musharraf & Prime Minister Ali Gillani Population: 169 million (1.6% Christian) Majority Religion: Islam Type of Government: Republic

The Church in Pakistan

The Church in Pakistan can be traced back to the very Early Church in the 1st Century when St. Thomas came to India as a builder and craftsman for King Gundaforus and brought with him the Gospel. This Orthodox Christian beginning has given legitimacy in the Sub Continent, and therefore in Pakistan, and has since then varied and branched into other denominations like Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Bretheren, Methodist, Presbyterian and Assemblies of God. However, her history and her existence as a historical presence is integral to her existence and continuation in the country. Evangelical work began some 200 years ago and has been active in church planting. The Church in Pakistan has been very affective in providing services such as edcuation, health and medical care and other welfare services.

The estimated number of Christians in Pakistan according to Wikipedia is 2,500,000 (1.6%), but this figure is debatable as it suggests we are less than the Hindu population in Pakistan. However, there is no way of really knowing the Christian population of Pakistan because censuses can be compromised and there is a hesitation on the part of those conducting the census to reveal exactly how many Christians there really are in Pakistan. Also there are many who worship secretly because of Pakistan's laws against conversion. The Church in Pakistan, like in other Islamic countries, is under constant pressure with a minimal margin of rights and freedom.

Pakistan's Church, even if the numbers are debatable, is blessed with more freedom than many Muslim countries. The right to exist, if even under pressure and the watchful eye of the authorities and extremist groups, makes it key to spreading the Gospel and being Salt and Light in South and South West Asia, with reach into Afghanistan and Iran.

The Church is being challenged in integrating MBBs.



Sources of Oppression and Persecution

1. Fundamental Islamists cause discrimination from grass root levels all the way up to a governmental level. Islamic identity gives the man on the street power over a Non Muslim and violation of his or her rights, without the fear of being reprimanded by the authorities. Pray for the believers facing this deiscrimination that they may stand strong in their faith even through persecution.

2. Though the Church exists and we are thankful for that, her activities are curtailed through a set of laws that make evangelism to Muslims and conversion to Christianity a crime. Pray for churches to find ways to continue to worship and fellowship despite the regulations.

3. Rejection of MBBs socially and culturally. Pray that the MBBs would find the support and encouragement they need.

4. The government has been known to create conflict and tension between various denominations playing them up against each other and using spies to monitor Church activity and behavior. This causes Chruch politics which is highly destructive for the local church but a well used weapon by the state against the Church. Pray for unity among the Church as a whole in Pakistan.

5. Discrimination of Christians in the workplace, in receiving scholarships, education, healthcare and in some extreme and remote areas even in accessing basic amenities like clean water, food etc... Pray for not only those discriminated against but their families who are directly affected as well.