Pakistan, increasing violence in Punjab

Over the past week there has been increasing violence in Punjab, Pakistan, as Muslims attack Christian villagers.  Seven Christians have been burnt alive and their houses torched and others have been shot by Muslims with automatic firearms while fleeing the violence. More than 60 homes have been burned down. There are thousands of Christians stranded and in hiding in nearby villages.

There is a pattern of violence against Christians in Punjab. The Christians of Pakistan are the largest religious minority in Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan is 2.8 million, or 1.1% of the population. More than 90 percent of the country’s Christians reside in Punjab, making them the largest religious minority in the province. And 60 percent of them live in the villages. There are several ecclesias and many Christadelphians in Punjab.

Some of our brothers and sisters have relatives in villages close to the violence.