Peace, Faith, Unity
Violence against Christian community in Pakistan
The Christian community in Pakistan has long faced significant challenges and persecution. They are a small and peaceful community however have suffered discrimination and violence in Pakistan which has been a persistent issue, stemming from various factors including religious intolerance and social prejudices. Instances of targeted attacks on churches, religious leaders, and Christian neighborhoods have led to loss of life and property, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for the community.
One of the most pressing concerns is the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which are often invoked to settle personal scores or to unfairly target religious minorities. These laws have resulted in the imprisonment and even death sentences for individuals accused of blasphemy, and Christians have been disproportionately affected by these accusations. Despite these challenges, many Christians in Pakistan continue to practice their faith with resilience and seek ways to promote interfaith harmony, advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant society where all religious communities can coexist peacefully.
Read about some unfortunate incidents happened in Pakistan
History
- One of the most horrific incidents targeting Christians occurred in 2009 when a furious mob, alleging blasphemy, set fire to approximately 60 homes and tragically claimed the lives of six Christians in the Gojra district of Punjab.
- The Attack on All Saints Church in Peshawar (2013): In one of the deadliest attacks on Christians in Pakistan, two suicide bombers targeted the historic All Saints Church in Peshawar in September 2013. The attack killed over 80 people and injured more than 100. This event highlighted the vulnerability of Christian places of worship to extremist violence.
- The Asia Bibi Case (2010-2018): Perhaps one of the most well-known cases internationally, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010. Her acquittal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018 led to nationwide protests by extremist groups, calling for her execution. Her case illustrated the misuse of blasphemy laws against Christians and other religious minorities.
- Persecution in Punjab (ongoing): The Punjab province in Pakistan has seen numerous incidents of persecution against Christians, including forced conversions, land grabs, and attacks on Christian communities. These incidents have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for the Christian population in this region.
- Targeted Killings of Christian Leaders: Over the years, several prominent Christian leaders and individuals advocating for the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan have been assassinated. These targeted killings have had a chilling effect on the Christian community's ability to speak out against persecution.
- Attack on St. John's Catholic Church in Lahore (2015): In March 2015, suicide bombers targeted St. John's Catholic Church in Lahore during Sunday service, killing at least 15 people, including women and children, and injuring dozens more. This attack underscored the vulnerability of Christian places of worship to terrorist violence.
- Attack on Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta (2017): In December 2017, a suicide bomber struck the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta, Balochistan. The attack left nine people dead and dozens injured. It was a grim reminder of the ongoing threats faced by Christians in Pakistan.
- The latest attack was in Jaranwala August 2023 where 20 churches were torched, Christians were chased out by mobs and the homes of entire villages were looted then burned on pretext of blasphemy
These attacks on churches have not only caused loss of life but have also generated an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the Christian community. The government of Pakistan has often been criticized for not providing adequate security to Christian places of worship, leaving them vulnerable to extremist attacks.