WORLD WATCH LIST

Pakistan

Blasphemy laws can send you to prison for sharing the gospel.

“When our hands are empty of bread, we have found it is good to raise them to heaven. God provides. Somehow, he is getting us and our children through this time.”

– Ruqia*, school teacher affected by the 2022 floods.

Country
Profile

Region: Asia
Sources of persecution: Islamic Oppression
Population: 229,489,000
Christian population: 4,194,000
Religions: Islam
Leader: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Score: 86

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What’s Life Like For Christians?

Iran is ruled by an increasingly strict Islamic regime, which views the existence of Iranian house churches as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and their authority.

State surveillance is on the rise and the authorities are exerting an increasing grip on daily life and activities, an attitude reflected in the harsh responses to the protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022.

When people from Muslim backgrounds become Christians, they can only meet in secret house churches. They are at great risk of being monitored, harassed, arrested, and prosecuted for ‘crimes
against national security’ – an accusation that is notoriously poorly defined and can be abused.

Iranian Christians may be banned from education, lose their jobs, and find it very difficult to get back into employment. Many believers feel forced to leave the country.

Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?

Christians who convert from Islam are the most vulnerable to persecution, both from Islamic extremist groups (who see them as apostates) and from families, friends and neighbours who see conversion as a shameful act of betrayal to family and community.

The highest numbers of Christians live in Punjab Province, which consequently sees higher incidents of discrimination and intolerance. The province of Sindh is also notorious for being a hotspot for bonded labour, which affects many Christians as well.