Faith
God’s Hand at Work in Punjab Bill Protecting Believers
A courageous Christian lawmaker in Pakistan has introduced a landmark bill to protect vulnerable believers and religious minorities from the scourge of forced conversions and marriages.
Falbous Christopher submitted the Punjab Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill 2026 to the Punjab Assembly to address systemic persecution.
Faith Facts
- A new bill in Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly proposes a five-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty of forcibly converting religious minorities through threats or coercion.
- The legislation addresses structural discrimination by prohibiting religious bias in employment and education while mandating state protection of Christian churches and property.
- Despite being the eighth most difficult country for Christians according to Open Doors, this bill represents a vital step toward securing religious freedom and biblical justice.
The legislation seeks to punish those who coerce minorities into converting with up to five years in prison while also safeguarding places of worship from desecration.
This move follows the heartbreaking abduction and forced conversion of 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz, an ordeal that sparked international outrage and highlighted the lack of legal protection for Christian girls.
We must stand in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan, asking the Lord to grant them courage as they fight for the fundamental right to worship Christ without fear of abduction or state-sanctioned violence.