Pakistan has been troubled by conflict since it gained independence from India in 1947; losing Bangladesh after a bloody civil war with frequent conflicts flaring up with India.

A dispute with India over the state of Kashmir is ongoing and regularly claims lives. 40% of the government’s money is spent on the army and on nuclear weapons.

Pakistan has developed considerably in the past few years. Its clear support and cooperation with the international anti-terror agenda has furthered its relations with the West. They have in turn received generous aid and support in combating poverty and increasing economic prospects.

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.

The massive 2005 earthquake has left three million people homeless and 200,000 people injured, forcing them to face the Himalayan winter in temporary shelters and tents.

39% of the population is under 15. Only 25% of young people can go to school and get an education and up to 20 million are exploited as child-labourers.

In 2005, Pakistan and the UN repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees and undertook a census to count the remaining million or more, many of whom remain by their own choosing.

Pakistan had a very mild winter this year which saved thousands of lives of Himalayan villagers still living in tents.

Opium poppy cultivation declined 58% to 3,147 hectares in 2005

The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002.

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 life or rejection from their families. There are could be thousands following Jesus in secret.

Pray for an end to the conflict with India and for peace for the people living in the Kashmir region.

Pray that the rise of Islamic militant extremism across the Muslim world would not take route in Pakistan and that the government continue to resist terrorist movements.