Pakistan (MNN) — The Christian population in Pakistan has shrunk over the last two decades. From 1998 to 2017, the percentage of Christians in Pakistan dropped from 1.59% to 1.27%.
Nehemiah of FMI says severe persecution against Christians is to blame. “They are leaving Pakistan for good in search of refuge and safety and security for their families. Because we can see in past years that persecution and hardship against Christians have been skyrocketing. So Christians are just moving.”
Some Pakistani Christians try to reach nearby countries to seek asylum, like Thailand or Malaysia. Nehemiah says, “But when they try to leave Pakistan, Pakistani authorities hold them at the airport, and don’t let them leave.”
Growing in faith
This quote was taken from the writings of early Church father Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Doesn’t this mean persecution will make the church grow? Why is that not happening in Pakistan?
Nehemiah offers a different interpretation. “I think it means that people’s faith and their strength grows. I understand it’s about numbers, but I believe more in faith. Because I have seen Christians in Pakistan, they are growing in faith a lot, especially during last 10 year. People are getting more and more strong in faith day by day.”
