Christians and human rights activists in Pakistan have sounded the alarm over what they call a new wave of persecution, including church closures, violent evictions, and economic exploitation of Christian families.
In the Christian colony of Essa Nagri in Jaranwala city, the evangelical Outreach Church of Jesus was forcibly closed after repeated threats from Muslim extremists, according to Pakistan-based advocacy group LEAD Ministries.
Pastor Zahid Sarfraz, who founded the church a year and a half ago, said “two men, Haji Waqas and Muhammad Babar,” led a campaign “to intimidate” the congregation and ultimately pressured police to seal the building.
After the closure, the men allegedly demanded that the cross be removed from the church.
Pastor Zahid said even some local pastors, driven by rivalry, sided with Muslim extremists in a village council, known locally as a jirga, that called for the church to remain shut. “We are not only being targeted from outside but betrayed from within,” he said, adding that one church member was forced to leave their home due to threats.
LEAD Ministries condemned the closure as part of a broader pattern of intolerance across Pakistan, an Islamic nation. “Church planting efforts are being deliberately obstructed by extremist Muslim elements,” said Pastor Imran Amanat, the group’s leader.
Founder Sardar Mushtaq Gill added, “internal jealousy among Christian pastors only strengthens those who persecute us.”
In another case in Vahari District, a Christian family was attacked and driven into hiding after borrowing 30,000 Pakistani rupees (about $108) from an illegal Muslim moneylender for medical bills, Worthy News learned.
Despite repaying nearly 200,000 rupees (roughly $720) in interest, the lender demanded another 500,000 rupees (about $1,800) and allegedly assaulted the family when they refused.
The victim, Faraz Masih, said police “sided with the lender,” filed a false case, and detained his minor son to force compliance. “We live in fear every day,” the family said in a statement shared by LEAD Ministries.
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