Pray for Pakistan

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations and one of the oldest centers of higher learning, dating back more than 2,500 years ago. In 1947, newly formed Pakistan went to war with India over the ownership of Kashmir land. Although the first war ended in 1948, the territory is still a major source of conflict today. More than 70 languages are spoken by Pakistan’s wide array of ethnic groups, though Urdu is the national language and English is used in business and government. Towering mountains in northern Pakistan form glaciers and deep valleys, and deserts cover much of the southwest and southeast. Its deserts and sandy beaches are hot and humid, while mountainous regions have cool summers and freezing winters. For generations, Pakistanis have enjoyed foods such as lentil curries, naan, and chai.

Though Pakistan has a large agricultural industry and a growing manufacturing industry, it is a lower-income country, with millions of people living in poverty. Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by terrorism, where attacks from armed militant groups have killed thousands, including students in schools targeted by the Taliban. Many people have been displaced. Though the government has taken steps to address extremist violence, it often fails to protect religious minorities, who face discrimination, attacks, and threats from extremist groups and local communities. Girls are often kidnapped and subjected to forced marriages. Monsoon rains and flooding along the Indus River cause landslides, destroy homes, and displace communities. Earthquakes cause widespread destruction, and heat waves and droughts lead to water shortages.

With a fusion of different ethnicities and languages, Pakistan’s national identity is strongly shaped by Islam. More than 95 percent of the nation identifies as Muslim, with the majority belonging to the Sunni tradition, and Pakistan is the second-largest Muslim-majority nation in the world. The Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but religious minorities often face discrimination, legal challenges, and violence. Though Christians make up less than 2 percent of the population, they are one of Pakistan’s largest religious minorities, with significant communities in Punjab and Karachi. Christian converts and those born into Christian families face persecution from Islamic extremist groups, the government, and their communities. Many Christians worship in churches and smaller house gatherings, and Bibles can legally be printed and distributed, though sharing the faith publicly can be dangerous. Pray for perseverance for Pakistani believers and for Muslims and terrorist groups to encounter Christ.