Pakistan Court Gives Christians Hope

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the government be required to review the country’s blasphemy laws which have resulted in many unjust sentences. Christian Today reports that Pakistani Christians are hopeful that the Supreme Court’s ruling will lessen persecution in Pakistan where saying anything against Islam can result in fines, years in prison, or even the death penalty. The Court’s ruling states, “It is, therefore, for the State of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to ensure that no innocent person is compelled or constrained to face an investigation or a trial on the basis of false or trumped-up allegations regarding commission of such an offence.” Christians are a small, but committed minority in Pakistan (2% of the population).

It is hoped the ruling will help the appeal of Christian mother-of-five Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to the death penalty for being accused of blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed.

Source: Christian Headlines; Christian Today

Bible Study: 1 Peter 2:4-17

PRAISE God for this significant breakthrough.

PRAY that it will be adhered to by local authorities.

Will Pakistan Change Blasphemy Law?

In a move to prevent the abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, the government has drafted a bill attempting to reduce false accusations. A mandatory death sentence for the crime of ‘defiling
the name’ of Muhammad makes false accusations a serious risk to non-Muslims; they are often used to settle personal grudges. The mob violence that sometimes follows an accusation poses a risk to whole Christian communities if one of their members is accused. If passed, the bill would impose penalties for false accusation and also make it necessary to prove that a person accused of defiling the name of Muhammad had done so intentionally. Pakistan has a secular legal system and an Islamic one based on sharia. According to the constitution, the Federal Shariat Court has the power to decide whether any of the country’s laws are ‘repugnant to the injunctions of Islam’ – the president must then ‘take steps to amend the law’.

Source: Barnabas Fund; Prayer Alert

Bible Study: Psalm 33:10-15

PRAISE God that there are at least moves in the right direction. Pray earnestly for a change in the law and that it may be upheld throughout Pakistan.

Is Pakistan Now Ready for Harvest? | 323 | Report 18

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Born and raised a Muslim in Pakistan near southern Afghanistan, John Taimoor is the founder of Crossbearers, a ministry that presents Christianity in an Islamic context and seeks to establish new communities of Messianic Muslims throughout the Middle East. He says, “Biblically speaking, Pakistan is ready for the harvest. Evangelistically speaking, the harvest is for a short period.” “We need to be like the sons of Ischaar who understood God’s hour (1 Chronicles 12:32)”.

Source: Pakistan for Christ

BIBLE STUDY: Luke 19:44

PRAY: For Pakistan that indeed this may be the day of salvation. Pray for wise workers in the vineyard.

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