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Pakistan3

Pakistan is bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, China and India. It is the worlds sixth largest nation, with a population of more than 180 million. PakistanPopulation: 180 millionCapital:Islamabad (2011 population 1.15 million)Government:Federal Islamic RepublicPresident:Asif Ali ZardariEconomy:Textiles, chemicals, food and agriculture.GDP/person:1,875 (UK: 24,300, almost 13x as much)Unemployment:5.6% (2012 estimate)Religion:96% Muslim (80% Sunni, 20% Shia) 2.5% Christian, 1.3% Hindu) Language:Urdu Adult literacy:20% 87% by regionInfant mortality:6%Life expectancy:65 years

Its economy is the 44th largest in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product. The economy is semi-industrialized, mainly encompassing textiles, chemicals, food processing, and agriculture. It has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, a fast growing population, mixed levels of investment and high defence spending.Pakistan experienced a period of tremendous growth, averaging 7% yearly GDP growth between 200307. The high population growth of the past few decades has ensured that a very large number of young people are now entering the labour market. 5

Islam is the majority religion accounting for around 96% of the population. 80% of the Muslims are Sunni, and 20% are Shia. The remaining 4% of the population are mainly Christians and Hindus. Although Christians are very much in the minority, they number almost 3 million.

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But despite its democracy and growing economy, religious extremism is a major problem, particularly in the north and along the long border with Afghanistan. The Taliban are still a powerful element. This pictures shows a demonstration in support of the Taliban.7

Pakistans blasphemy laws carry a potential death sentence for anyone who insults Islam. Critics say they have been used to persecute minorities. The number of Christians accused under the laws is disproportionately high.The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has been documenting blasphemy cases. According to the HRCP, since 1988 around 1,000 cases have been lodged for desecration of the Koran, and nearly 50 cases have been lodged for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.Lower courts have handed down hundreds of convictions, but nearly all of them have been overturned by higher courts due to lack of evidence, faults in due process or obvious wrongful motives on the part of the complainants. Hundreds of Christians are among the accused - at least 12 were sentenced to death for blaspheming against the Prophet. Release heavily supports a Legal Aid Centre in Lahore which defends Christians, or appeals their sentence. 8

An accusation of blasphemy led to the Joseph Colony riots in March 2013. Thousands of Muslims went on the rampage after allegations of blasphemy against a local Christian were broadcast from mosque loudspeakers on Friday. The accusations were made against Sawan Masih, a 35-year-old roadsweeper who had what our partners describe as a petty row with a Muslim friend. Thousands of Muslims, spurred on by a prayer leaders broadcasts, marched on Joseph Colony, setting fire to homes and beating Christians, and starting two days of violence and unrest.

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On the Saturday morning, a mob of almost 4,000 people returned to loot and burn homes over a five-hour period. More than 200 homes were destroyed, and two churches, a chapel and eight shops were attacked; about 500 Bibles were also burned. Thousands of Christians lost all they had in the arson, looting and destruction.

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Churches were also targeted.11

One of the most prominent Christians to be affected by the Blasphemy Law is Asia Bibi, an illiterate farm worker from rural Punjab, who is the first woman sentenced to death under the controversial law. In prison since 2009, she was sentenced to death by hanging in November 2010. She now also has a price on her head. A radical cleric has promised 500,000 rupees (about 3,700) to anyone prepared to "finish her".

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Many Pakistani people support the idea that blasphemers should be punished, but there is little understanding of what the Koran says as opposed to how the law is worded. Recent events suggest that they largely believe the law, created back in the 1980s, is in fact straight out of the Koran and therefore is not man-made. Muslim extremists have been able to mobilise mass support for this view. The moderate Muslim Governor Salman Taseer, who wished to see the Blasphemy Laws reformed, was assassinated in 2011. His assassin was hailed as a hero by a large section of people across the country.13

Two months after the murder of Salman Taseer, the Christian Pakistani Minorities Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, was also shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car in broad daylight in the capital, Islamabad. Mr Bhatti, the cabinet's only Christian minister, had received death threats for urging reform to blasphemy laws. His response was: "I am ready to die. I am living for my community and suffering people, and I will die to defend their rights."14

To defend Christians who may be unjustly accused and imprisoned, Release supports CLAAS the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance, and Settlement run by Joseph Francis MBE in Lahore. CLAAS wins more than 50% of all the cases it takes on: a remarkable achievement given the legal and cultural odds stacked against Christians. 15

Release also supports SLMP (Sharing Life Ministry, Pakistan) run by Sohail Johnson which visits Christian prisoners once or twice a week, and their families once or twice a month. They encourage the prisoners to stand strong in their faith, and bring news, encouragement and practical support to their families.

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The prison visits include times of prayer, Bible reading and encouragement. In some prisons, the governor has allowed a room to be set aside for use as a prayer chapel.

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Sometimes prisoners are too poor to pay their release fees. Release supports a fund for this situation. Here a released prisoner is celebrating his freedom with one of our partners.

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Sandal Bibi was imprisoned for blasphemy. Many Christians prayed for her, and wrote to her and the authorities. Here she is pictured after her release from prison in 2010.

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Christians are a tiny minority in the Muslim-majority country. They are typically very poor, illiterate, and doing manual work on day rates. They are comparable with Indias Dalits or untouchables. To make ends meet, young Christian women often work as housemaids in the homes of their neighbours. This makes them very vulnerable to physical and sexual assault. Some Christians and other vulnerable people work as bonded labourers in brick kilns. They have incurred a debt, and are working to pay it off. But because they cannot count, the brick kiln owners can increase the amount outstanding by adding interest, so they can never leave the brick kiln. They are essentially slaves. CLAAS has helped more than 700 Christians to be freed from this bondage.20

SLMP also gives training in sewing and needlework. These women can now earn three times as much as they could as domestic servants or working in sweatshops and brick kilns, and they can now earn their living without fear of being abused.21

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Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, one of our Patrons, says: The persecution of Christians around the world is a persistent problem, and we are all called to show love, in word and deed, to our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am delighted to commend Release International to you as an agency that can deliver your compassion, support, prayer and encouragement to persecuted Christians in many parts of the world. 25

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