Christians Affected by Pakistan Unrest
More than 80 Christian families are homeless and living on
church grounds following the recent and continuing political unrest in
Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.
Unlike Muslims, who have housing provided to them by the
government, more than 300 Christians have been displaced and left to fend for
themselves. “When we left… [we were not] provided any transportation, whereas
Muslims were provided transportation,” a displaced Christian said. Some Christians
walked for two days without water.
The Pakistan local governments have provided Muslims with
tents, mattresses, clothing, medicines, food and medical care, whereas injured
believers have not received medical intervention. “There are many children and
women needing medical attention,” VOM contacts added. “Although the church is
providing food right now, they need help. God knows how long it will take and
then it will be difficult for the church to feed these people.”
During a camp visit, local
believers told our VOM contacts that the Taliban treated Christians as
“infidels.” They stopped them from holding prayer meetings and threatened them,
firing guns near Christian homes to stop them from praying.
The current unrest in Pakistan has resulted from the
government fighting the Taliban and an estimated 1.3 million people have been
displaced and are living in refugee camps. The Voice of the Martyrs is
assisting believers that are not being helped by the government. VOM recently
distributed Action Packs, Bibles, and the books Triumphant Church and He
Lived Among Us.