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18th October 2009 |
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Population of 172 million which is about 220 people per sq. km. The capital is Islamabad with over 1 million and in Karachi there are about 12 million. There is only 33% of the population living in urban areas. Main exports are sports goods, textiles, garments and heroin. Much of the agricultural land and commerce is controlled by a few, very wealthy, families. An Islamic republic. Shari’a law has been increasingly applied, even to Christians and Hindus, despite its contravention of the constitution. This gives numerous opportunities for the majority Sunni Muslims to oppress and persecute Shi’a Muslims, Ahmaddiya, Hindus and Christians. Yet there remains a surprising degree of religious freedom and the government regularly assures minorities of their freedom and opportunities under the law. 96% of the population is Muslim.
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Christians who come from a Muslim background are particularly under threat with the implementation of shari’a law. There are possibly thousands of secret believers, but only a small, yet increasing number have confessed Christ and identify openly as Christians — for it could lead to their martyrdom. Pray for protection, multiplication, and for good integration into culturally appropriate Christian fellowships. All too often such believers have the double trauma of rejection by their community and then non-acceptance by the Christian community.
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