Alexandra Nyoni
13/11/2025
Pakistan is a country in South Asia, bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, India, and China. With a 2024 population of 251.3 million, it is the fifth most populous country in the world. Pakistan is a Muslim-majority nation, and according to the Joshua Project, only one percent of the population are Christians. While Christians have a relative amount of freedom in Pakistan compared to other nations in the region, believers still often face threats of violence, persecution, and intimidation from both personal and governmental parties.
Despite some recent potential improvements, security remains a major issue for Pakistan. There are often flare-ups in violence between India and Pakistan, with each nation blaming the other for instigating. Since October, border clashes with Afghanistan have left 50 civilians dead and hundreds more injured. Five people were killed in subsequent explosions in Kabul. These attacks led to all border crossings being closed for weeks. The closure left thousands of Afghans stranded at the border, while supply trucks and aid vehicles were also halted. The reopening of Pakistan’s Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan on 1 November allowed thousands of Afghans to return home, and supply trucks and aid to continue to their destinations. The key crossing had been closed for nearly three weeks.
Pakistan has hosted thousands of Afghan refugees for decades, dating back to 1979 during the Soviet invasion. In more recent years, since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, thousands more have fled into Pakistan. The large number of refugees has put strain on Pakistani infrastructure, leading to the expulsion of thousands of undocumented refugees back to Afghanistan. This has raised concern from global rights groups about the treatment not only of Afghans but also of other minority groups.
According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2025, attacks on religious minorities and law-enforcement officials rose in 2024, highlighting a resurgence in sectarian violence. The report urges the government to strengthen judicial protections and curb impunity for abuses by both militant groups and state actors. For example, former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned on charges of inciting attacks on a government building following protests by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) supporters when he was arrested in 2023. Since his ousting from power, many other PTI leaders have been imprisoned, and supporters have been ‘forcibly disappeared’.
Along with political turmoil, Pakistan also faces yearly floods due to ongoing climate change. From June to September this year, over 1,000 people were killed by floods, and thousands more were injured or lost their homes. This myriad of challenges faced by the Pakistani people has left gaps in aid delivery and psychological support structures — gaps that the Church is aiming to be equipped to fill.
The Church in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities
While Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country, it has a long history with Christianity. It is believed that the apostle Thomas preached in the area that was previously the Indus Valley, one of the oldest civilisations in the world, marking the beginning of the Christian Church in what is now Pakistan.
According to an INcontext contact in Pakistan, many Christians still face marginalisation and therefore work in low-paying jobs such as sanitation or domestic work. A lack of access to education and social prejudice prevent upward mobility and community development, leading many churches and ministries to struggle to support their work without external help or funding. Many churches are focused on survival, limiting their ability to look outward.
Christians are also often the victims of strict blasphemy laws that have led to several believers being attacked, arrested, or imprisoned. A false accusation of blasphemy can have long-lasting effects on the victim, as demonstrated in the case of four men who were sentenced to death by hanging in January for ‘insulting the Quran’. Since 1987, over 2,000 people have been accused of crimes against Islam or the Prophet Muhammad under blasphemy laws. Nearly 100 people have been lynched to death, while several remain on death row, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). This threat often leads churches to operate quietly for fear of attracting unwanted attention. Religious gatherings, evangelism activities, or online expressions of faith could potentially lead to accusations, destruction of churches, or threats of violence against church leaders or attendees.
However, though the above challenges persist, they also bring about unique ministry opportunities. In times of financial, social, and governmental uncertainty, many people’s hearts have softened, leading to a ripe harvest for the evangelically spirited Church in the country. Pakistanis of all religions recognise the needs of the people within their country, and many Christian ministries provide food, aid, relief, and emotional and spiritual support — garnering respect even from those of the majority religion. Living out Christ-like values of hospitality, generosity, and radical love is opening doors for non-believers to hear the Gospel.
Another challenge faced by Christians in Pakistan is the lack of access to discipleship and leadership training. Many church leaders are not ideally equipped and lack a strong biblical foundation. This results in a lack of true discipleship and high levels of burnout. This cycle of burnout makes it difficult for churches to instil proper structure and programming. However, the rise of social media and other internet platforms is allowing more training opportunities than were previously available. To counteract this challenge, church leaders are now able to access resources in new ways and connect with younger generations.
As the Pakistani Church is in a unique season, it is in great need of prayer and intercession from the global body of believers.
Please join us in prayer for:
- That God would continue to grow church leaders in humility and integrity.
- The emergence of a new generation of servant leaders — men and women who lead with character, vision, and Christ-like compassion.
- Strong discipleship movements that go beyond conversions to form mature, grounded believers who can lead others.
- Divine protection and discernment for those sharing the Gospel in restricted areas, and for open hearts among Muslims, Hindus, and other non-Christians who are genuinely seeking truth.
Sources:
Associated Press, The Economic Times, Al Jazeera, Gulf News, Financial Times, Human Rights Watch, RadioFree Europe, Joshua Project
