The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has a population of 184.4 million, 1.5 million of whom live in Islamabad, the capital city. The languages spoken are: Punjabi 48%; Sindhi 12%; Siraiki (Punjabi variant) 10%; Pashtu 8%; Urdu 8% (official); Balochi 3%; Hindko 2%; Brahui 1%; English (official). The religions practised are Sunni Muslim 75%; Shia Muslim 20%; Other (includes Christian & Hindu) 5%.
The country has faced internal political strife; an ongoing dispute with India over the territory of Kashmir; and, more recently, unrest due to the war against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. The country also struggles with poverty and coping with major earthquakes, the most recent severe one being in October 2005, when over 87,000 people were killed in both Pakistan and India.
Christianity in Pakistan
Christian missions have been working in Pakistan since 1833. The Church experienced a revival in 1904 and a large number of Hindus become Christians between 1890 and 1930.
Although there are over 3.6 million Christians in Pakistan, this represents only 2.3% of the population.
Whilst the Islamic state has only partially implemented Shari’a law, there is a mandatory death sentence for ‘disrespect to the Prophet’ and a life sentence for desecration of the Qur’an. Christians who come from a Muslim background are particularly under threat, and Christians have suffered from malicious rumours, false charges and discrimination.
In recent years there has been increased persecution and marginalisation of Christians and other minority groups. Events on the world stage since the ‘9/11 attack’ in the USA and the coalition-led armed interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, have brought these problems into even sharper focus.