Home News Bites PAKISTAN CHURCH UNDER FIRE: A CALL TO ANGUISH

PAKISTAN CHURCH UNDER FIRE: A CALL TO ANGUISH

By Gigi Kotze

26/09/2024

In the first eight months of 2024, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant violence, resulting in 757 deaths and nearly as many injuries, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). August was the deadliest month in six years, with analysts reporting 254 fatalities, including 92 civilians and 52 security personnel. Militants are particularly active in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan’s security situation has worsened. Last month, violence in Balochistan surged threefold, with separatist groups killing 74 people in coordinated attacks on police stations, railway lines, and highways across the province. The latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report also ranks Pakistan 4th in terms of terrorism and militancy, based on incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages.

The Pakistani government has repeatedly blamed the Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a coalition of extremist groups, for attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban government in Kabul denies these claims. In July, a UN report labelled the TTP as “the largest terrorist group” in Afghanistan, noting that it receives strong support from the Taliban in Kabul for cross-border attacks on Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has become a major threat in Balochistan. It seeks independence for the resource-rich province and opposes China-led projects, including a port and a gold and copper mine. Consequently, Pakistan is facing attacks from various fronts, including tribal militant groups, ISIS, and Taliban factions.

INcontext reached out to their friends in Pakistan for feedback on how these attacks are affecting the Church and were moved to the point of anguish by the feedback we received. One friend of the ministry shared that in their area, there is little talk of the attacks, as the locals are more focused on the economy and rising food and fuel prices. They added, “But it was very interesting to learn how a visiting short-term team was very reluctant to come due to news reports of increased instability in the country, and that could be a very real challenge – that fewer foreign missionaries will be coming in. As many of the current field workers age out, new workers are essential to pick up the baton, and our desire is to see Kingdom work increasing, building on what has gone before, rather than decreasing.

Another friend submitted a four-page document detailing the attacks, sharing personal stories of those affected and the challenges facing the Church. He noted that the situation in Balochistan has gone unreported, despite 28 terrorist incidents in August 2024. In one attack, armed men in Musakhail district killed 26 people, including five Christians. He highlighted that the Christian community in Pakistan is predominantly ethnic Punjabi, and that the BLA specifically targets them, killing them upon identifying them by their identity cards.

He added that there are over 60 churches in Balochistan, all of which are feeling the effects of the unrest. Both the BLA and TTP have directly threatened the churches, warning them to cease all evangelistic work in the province. Security agencies have issued notices to churches, advising them to tighten security measures, restrict access to unknown individuals, and instructing pastors to notify authorities before travelling. Persecution is rising, with school students and girls being forced to convert to Islam, leaving families in fear.

A 12-year-old boy from Balochistan, now living in an orphanage, is both a witness to and a victim of the violence. He shared, “We feel fear in our homes, we are not going to school or to the playground to play with our friends. The terrorists are attacking young boys and kidnapping young girls, so our parents don’t allow us to go outside. We used to stay in the house, and we couldn’t sleep at night due to fear. I am thankful to God that now I can continue my studies. I am praying for the other children who are still there, may God keep them safe.”

Our ministry friend shared that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, fear and anxiety have forced community members to become nomads due to violent attacks, including targeted killings, abductions, extortion, forced conversions, and forced marriages. One of the many stories he recounted was of a 34-year-old Christian man who was brutally shot by the TTP; his widow and three children have since faced discrimination from government officials. Although the government promised financial support for them, no practical action has been taken, leaving the widow without justice or aid despite her efforts to seek help. Fortunately, an orphanage has taken in the three children, providing them with an education.

In his final thoughts, he expressed deep concern for the struggles faced by churches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amidst these attacks. He shared that security agencies have urged costly upgrades to safety measures that these churches cannot afford, while the National Action Plan (NACTA) complicates efforts to secure international funding, leaving them with limited resources. Previously, they have endured bombings and attacks resulting in significant casualties, and they continue to be targeted by extremists. Some pastors have been murdered, and Christian organisations in the region face similar threats and funding challenges, as they are registered as NGOs in Pakistan.

As the Body, we have the privilege to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and support our suffering brothers and sisters by lifting them up, just as Moses’ arms were lifted by Aaron and Hur when he was weak (Exodus 17:12). The Church in Pakistan has a unique opportunity, despite facing tremendous trials, to continue being a beacon of hope, illustrating the values of the Kingdom of God even in the darkest of times, and pointing lost souls, desperate for true peace, to a Saviour whose arms are wide open.

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray that militant groups operating in and around Pakistan would have a transformative encounter with Jesus, experiencing a profound change like Saul did on the road to Damascus, where scales fell from his eyes, and he saw Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 9:18).
  • Pray that the Body of Christ will be deeply moved by the suffering in Pakistan, responding with heartfelt prayers, financial support, and efforts to raise global awareness.
  • Pray that the Church in Pakistan would find joy in their suffering, as encouraged in James 1:2, and remain steadfast beacons of hope. Ask that they may experience Christ’s comforting presence as He walks beside them through their hardships, empowering them to reflect His light even in these challenging times.
  • Pray that the current surge in militant attacks will lead many Muslims to question and feel dissatisfied with their current beliefs. In their search for truth amidst the turmoil, may they encounter the transformative power of Jesus Christ, as promised in John 14:6, where Jesus declares Himself as “the way and the truth and the life.”

PUTTING ACTION TO WORDS:

INcontext International supports dedicated friends in Pakistan, striving to bring hope and assistance to those in need. If you feel called to make a difference through financial support, we invite you to reach out to Gustav at gustav@incontextinternational.org. Your contribution can have a profound impact on the lives of many. Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our mission!