Faith
Christians Face Discrimination in Pakistan’s Prisons
Faith Facts
- Christian prisoners in Pakistan endure severe discrimination and abuse due to their faith.
- Minority inmates are denied prison sentence remissions granted to Muslim inmates for religious activities.
- The National Commission for Justice and Peace calls for equal treatment and protection for all prisoners, urging reforms to end religious bias.
Christians and other minority prisoners in Pakistan are unjustly targeted for their beliefs and subjected to harmful conditions and humiliation, the “Hope Behind Bars” report by the National Commission for Justice and Peace reveals. These inmates are often labeled as “untouchables,” given degrading work, and excluded from vital prison benefits, all because of their faith.
Those accused under blasphemy laws or religiously-motivated charges particularly suffer, facing frequent hostility from authorities and fellow inmates. The report describes Christians being provided with inadequate resources and forced into unsanitary, dangerous conditions, with prison authorities deliberately neglecting their needs.
“For nearly three months, our whereabouts remained undisclosed to anyone. During detention, we were forced to drink water from Lotas [vessels typically used in toilets]. One person would open their mouth while another poured water through the same vessel.”
The study documents that when Christian or Hindu inmates’ identities become known, they are assigned menial labor and denied the sentence remissions given to Muslims. In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nearly two thousand Muslim prisoners received remissions for reciting the Quran and fasting, but minority inmates were excluded from such benefits.
Although prison rules theoretically allow similar reductions for studying the Bible or Geeta, these benefits are not implemented for Christian, Hindu, or Sikh prisoners. Authorities have failed to approve syllabi or properly apply these laws, leaving faithful minority prisoners at an ongoing disadvantage despite the law’s intent.
As of March, over 1,500 minority inmates were counted in Punjab correctional facilities, with the numbers rising over the previous year. Other provinces show similarly troubling statistics, evidencing the ongoing struggle for Christians to practice their faith without fear and injustice, even behind bars.
The NCJP urges the Pakistani government to uphold the dignity of every inmate, safeguard religious freedom, and end discriminatory practices—reminding us all that every soul deserves respect, justice, and the hope of redemption.
Let us lift up those persecuted for their faith, praying for justice, mercy, and freedom in accordance with Christ’s command to love and uphold our neighbors. May these reports awaken our hearts to advocate for Christian brothers and sisters around the world.
A 62-year-old Catholic man in Pakistan has been acquitted of blasphemy charges after a long legal battle involving personal disputes.
Shoukat Javed, a cemetery caretaker and house painter, was falsely accused of insulting Islamic figures by a neighbor.
The neighbor previously failed to implicate him in a narcotics case.
Faith Facts
- Pakistan ranks eighth on the 2026 World Watch List for the most difficult places to live as a Christian.
- Human Rights Watch reports that blasphemy laws are frequently exploited for land grabs and personal vendettas.
- Religious minorities in Pakistan face significant threats of mob violence and displacement due to sensitive allegations.
The victory for religious freedom came after the complainant withdrew the case, claiming he had forgiven Javed.
Though the legal system eventually provided justice, the situation highlights the ongoing peril faced by Pakistani Christians.
They are frequently targeted by malicious accusations under strict national laws.
We must remain in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ who endure such persecution for their witness in hostile regions.
May the Lord grant them protection and continue to open doors for justice in nations where faith is treated as a crime.
Faith Facts:
- The proposed law allows termination of healthy, developed babies for any reason during the last trimester.
- The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury opposed the bill, warning that removing deterrents erodes safeguards for mothers and children.
- Public sentiment remains overwhelmingly cautious, with a reported 1 percent supporting abortion up until the moment of birth.
Radical legislation in the UK is pushing the boundaries of morality. The House of Lords recently voted to decriminalize abortion through the final three months of pregnancy.
This shift positions the nation toward one of the most extreme abortion regimes globally, far surpassing the standards of most European neighbors.
Despite the incredibly liberal framework already in place, Westminister elites have chosen to remove safeguards. These safeguards protect viable, pain-capable infants.
The Church and pro-family advocates warn that such a move erodes the inherent value of life and the protections meant to uphold it.
As believers, we are called to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must uphold the sanctity of every life created in God’s image.
We must continue to champion the rights of the unborn. We should also offer true compassion and support to mothers in need.
The public are clear about their position on abortion up to birth. The Church should be too.
Faith Facts:
- The forum highlighted that human life begins at conception and advocated for the protection of the unborn against expanding abortion laws.
- Pastoral leaders asserted that values are born in the home and that society destabilizes when the family unit weakens.
- Speakers warned against ideological indoctrination in schools, urging for education centered on truth rather than political manipulation.
Mexican federal Deputy Asael Hernández Cerón recently hosted the “Family Day in Mexico” forum at the Chamber of Deputies to champion the traditional family unit.
The event brought together evangelical pastors and civil leaders to address the growing threats against life, parental rights, and religious liberty.
Participants emphasized that the marital union of one man and one woman remains the most suitable structure for the healthy development of children.
This gathering serves as a critical call to action for believers to influence every sphere of society, from education to government, with Christian morality.
“We face the looming threat of losing our freedoms in Mexico. I have expressed on multiple occasions my concern about the negative impact this could have on society.”
“Christians need well-prepared men and women to influence Mexican society and represent us in different spheres. Christians must always be agents of change for the good of our nation.”
As these courageous leaders stand for the sanctity of life and the family, let us pray for the restoration of Biblical foundations across all nations.
May we remain steadfast in protecting our children from secular agendas and promoting the truth of the Gospel in the public square.
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