Pakistan

Some of the world’s most widely-known cases of anti-Christian pressure and violence have arisen in Pakistan, a country whose founder promoted religious freedom. Asia Bibi’s case prompted international condemnation of Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy laws but there are still dozens of Christians and others on death row for blasphemy. Meanwhile, several churches and Christian colonies have been attacked by Islamists in recent years, leading to the loss of many lives. Although Christians are around 2% of the population, they make up about 80% of the workforce dealing with waste management (sewerage and street-cleaning). World Watch Monitor’s journalism brought changes in employment legislation in Punjab for such ‘sweepers’ in September 2015. `

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Pakistani university refuses prosperous work to Christians

March 17, 2014 Dalits, Pakistan Muslim League, Shahbaz Bhatti

A public university in Pakistan defies court orders and misleads government authorities to avoid giving federally approved jobs to non-Muslims, a Christian politician in the nation’s ruling party says. In May 2009 the government passed a law requiring 5% of jobs to be allocated to religious minorities. The University of […]

Murdered MP’s brother threatened 3 years after death

February 20, 2014 Blasphemy, Paul Bhatti, Shahbaz Bhatti

Almost three years have passed since the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Pakistani MP who lobbied against the country’s controversial blasphemy laws. Now, his elder brother’s life is under threat. Paul Bhatti was living in Italy when his brother was murdered on March 2, 2011, but he soon returned to […]

Christmas excitement marred by insecurity for Pakistani Christians after deadly year of attacks

December 23, 2013 All Saints Church, Blasphemy, Joseph Colony, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Taliban

Memorials for the victims of the bomb attacks at All Saints Church in Peshawar.Kamran Chaudhry for World Watch Monitor The decorations have been put up, carol services have begun and small celebrations are being planned, but the festive spirit is marred by anxiousness and insecurity among Pakistan’s small Christian […]

Pakistani Christian on blasphemy charge speaks out from jail

December 16, 2013 Adnan Prince, Blasphemy, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Lahore, Lashkar-e-Taiba

A Christian held in a Pakistani prison has told World Watch Monitor about the events surrounding his arrest and current detention. In October 26-year-old Adnan Prince (also known as Adnan Masih) was accused by a work colleague of insulting Islam, the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad. A conviction of blasphemy […]

Pakistan’s churches increase security after Peshawar blasts

December 6, 2013 All Saints Church, Barelvi, Lahore, Pashtun, Peshawar, PTI, Youhanabad

Christians guard the Full Gospel Assemblies Church in Bahar Colony in Lahore.World Watch Monitor Security around churches in Pakistan has increased since the deadly suicide blasts in Peshawar in September and the death of a police guard outside a church last month. On September 22, two suicide bombers blew […]

Rash of blasphemy accusations after Pakistan church bombings

November 26, 2013 Al-Qaeda, All Saints Church, Blasphemy, Gujranwala, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Karachi, Lahore, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pashtun, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Sunni Tehreek, Taliban, Youhanabad

The remains of a Munawar Masih’s belongings in Michael Town, Karachi, after they were taken from his home and set on fire.World Watch Monitor Two months ago, on September 22, two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside All Saints Church in Peshawar when congregants were leaving the church after […]

Pakistan ‘beset with religious rage’

October 4, 2013 All Saints Church, Islamic extremism, Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan, Peshawar

The World Council of Churches has registered with Pakistan Prime Minister Naraz Sharif its dismay at the recent wave of violence that has claimed nearly 150 lives. In an Oct. 3 letter to Sharif, council General Secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit said the council’s 345 member churches, representing 500 million Christians, […]

After the bombs

October 2, 2013 All Saints Church, Blasphemy, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Peshawar, Taliban

On Sept. 22, two bombs exploded at All Saints Anglican Church in Peshawar, the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan. More than 80 people were killed, making it the deadliest attack ever on Pakistan’s Christians. In the days since, protests have been staged across the country. Condemnations […]

A renewed debate over blasphemy laws

October 2, 2013 Blasphemy, Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Ulema Council, Peshawar, PTI, Quetta, Shahbaz Bhatti, Taliban

Memorials for the victims of the bomb attacks at All Saints Church in Peshawar.Kamran Chaudhry for World Watch Monitor The Sept. 22 suicide bombings of a church in Pakistan have re-ignited political debate on the country’s controversial blasphemy laws. Only three days before the incident, the Council for Islamic […]

Anger turns into a riot

October 2, 2013 All Saints Church, Karachi, Pentecostals, Peshawar, Taliban

An anti-Taliban protest outside the Karachi Press Club following the church bombing in Peshawar.Jahanzaib Khan via Twitter Last week, in the wake of the Peshawar church bombs, minority Pakistani Christians staged protests and demonstrations across the country, angry at the lack of protection given to them by their government. […]

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