Pakistan

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Official name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan Area: Government: Official languages: Monetary unit: Cities:

DEMOGRAPHY Population: 166 million Population density: ECONOMY GDP (PPP): per person: </small>

LIFE & LIBERTY HDI

Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Location 1.2 Climate 1.3 Natural Resources 2 Demographics 2.1 Peoples 2.2 Languages 2.3 Provinces 3 Life 4 Economy 5 Government 6 Terrorism 7 Religion 7.1 Islam 7.2 Buddhism 7.3 Christianity 7.3.1 History 7.3.2 Churches 7.3.3 Persecution 7.3.4 Church and State Relations 7.3.5 Mission 7.3.6 Broadcasting 7.3.7 Councils and Networks 8 Future Trends 9 For More Reading

[edit] Geography

[edit] Location

• Pakistan is a republic in South Asia, marking the region where South Asia converges with Central Asia and the Middle East. It has a 650-mile coastline along the Arabian Sea in the south, and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far north east.

[edit] Climate

[edit] Natural Resources

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Peoples

• Unreached People Groups: Over 160 ethnic groups and 40 language groups do not have viable, indigenous congregations or an effective cross-cultural missions initiative.

Pathans

Moghuls

[edit] Languages

• Hindko: Possibly five million people in northern Pakistan are Hindko speakers. Made up of several ethnic groups, mostly Pathans and Moghuls, the Hindko are more of a language group than a people group. Hindko speakers make their living as farmers or merchants in the foothills of the Himalayas. Corn and wheat are the most important crops. These grains are ground into flour and used to make a flat bread that accompanies every meal. The people lead very simple lives, but often go to great lengths to secure an education and a better future for their children. Only about 25% of Hindko speakers can read in any language.

[edit] Provinces

• The Provinces of Pakistan:

• Balochistan,
• the North West Frontier Province (NWFP),
• the adjacent Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

• The Cities of Pakistan

[edit] Life

[edit] Economy

[edit] Government

• Type of Government: Republic

• Pakistan is a country in flux. The election that took place on 27 July was mostly fair and free of violence. Pray that the political parties demonstrate maturity to ensure a smooth transition to democracy. Pray that the democratic process in the country might be consolidated allowing Christians a greater freedom in their witness and mission.

[edit] Terrorism

• Emergency in Pakistan

• The government of Pakistan is a major partner in the U.S. war on terror. Nevertheless, Pakistan remains a major source of Islamic extremism and a safe haven for some top terrorist leaders. Credible reports estimated that as many as 900 Pakistanis lost their lives in more than 650 terror attacks in 2006, with another 1,500 people seriously injured. Pakistan has experienced attacks from international terror networks such as Al Qaeda and its supporters, as well as violence stemming from Sunni-Shi'a sectarian strife and militant sub-nationalists. Attacks occurred with greatest frequency in the regions bordering Afghanistan: Balochistan, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and the adjacent Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

• International terror organizations, including Al Qaeda and its supporters, operated and carried out attacks in Pakistan, according to Country Reports on Terrorism 2007. Violence stemming from Sunni-Shia sectarian strife and militant sub-nationalists also claimed civilian lives. Attacks occurred with greatest frequency in the regions bordering Afghanistan: Balochistan, the Northwest Frontier Province and the adjacent federally administered tribal areas (FATA). But militant attacks continued to grow and target urban centers including Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.

• The trend and sophistication of suicide bombings grew in Pakistan this year. The December 27, 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in a suicide bombing after a political rally in Rawalpindi, was the most prominent suicide attack. Between 2002 and 2006, the Department recorded approximately 22 suicide attacks in the country, whereas in 2007 there were over 45 such attacks. These suicide attacks often resulted in large numbers of casualties, and several occurred in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

[edit] Religion

• Islam 96.1%, Christianity 2.3%, Hinduism 1.5%, Other 0.1%. Pakistan is an Islamic republic. There is growing support for Islamic Shari’a law and discrimination against non-Muslim and Muslim minorities is on the increase. Churches, pastors and Muslim background believers are targets of violence.

[edit] Islam

[edit] Buddhism

[edit] Christianity

2%

[edit] History

[edit] Churches

• Persecution and intimidation try to keep Christians living in fear. Pray that they would stand firm in the authority of Jesus and have the courage to share their faith despite the troubles they face.
• Christians from a Muslim background face possible execution under the Shari’a law. Most are too frightened to openly follow Jesus because they would risk their lives or rejection from their families. There could be thousands following Jesus in secret. Pray for their protection.

[edit] Persecution

• Pakistan is ranked No. 15 among nations that are the worst persecutors of Christians based on Open Doors 2008 World Watch List.
• Christians from a Muslim background face possible execution under the Shari’a law. Most are too frightened to openly follow Jesus because they would risk their life or rejection from their families. There are could be thousands following Jesus in secret. Pray for their protection.
• Islam is the state religion, the 2% Christians (but only 0,4% Evangelicals) have on the paper some special rights. Accusations of blasphemy are a constant threat to the significant Christian minority - death is the prescribed sentence for anyone guilty of defiling Muhammad. Arrests and imprisonment for blasphemy take place without a warrant or bail. Ill-treatment in custody is common. Judicial proceedings may take years, suspects are often murdered. Persecution is a growing reality since 1991. Everything conspires to make Christians fearful and silent, yet the Church has grown.
• Muslim-background Christians particularly under threat; possibly thousands of secret believers only a small number identify openly as Christians. All too often, believers have the double trauma of rejection by their community and then non-acceptance by the Christian community.
• Praise God that death sentences have always been overturned by higher courts. But they have suffered for many years in prison.
• At least nine Pakistani Christians in one village have reportedly received letters threatening them to convert to Islam on September 3, 2008, the Minorities Concern of Pakistan (MCP) has reported. The letters threatened death or eviction from the area in case the recipients did not convert to Islam.

[edit] Church and State Relations

[edit] Mission

[edit] Broadcasting

Daily programs to Pakistan and Afghanistan are broadcast by Radio Payam-e-Hayat and affiliated groups [1]

[edit] Councils and Networks

[edit] Future Trends

[edit] For More Reading

• Wikipedia
• Joshua Project
• GRN