In the mid-1960s, the Mangla Dam was constructed near the ancient town of Mirpur in a region east of Islamabad, Pakistan, called Azad "Free" Kashmir. The construction of the dam was started in 1962 and completed in 1967. The dam was part of a multipurpose flood control, power generation and fisheries project which became a source of national pride in Pakistan. Two hundred and eighty towns and villages were flooded, and an estimated 110,000 people lost their homes and land.
Azad Kashmiris Ties to the UK
Many used their compensation money to buy tickets to go to the United Kingdom, and these immigrants form a significant part of the Pakistani community in the UK (United Kingdom of Great Britain). Ties between the Azad Kashmiri community in the UK and their homeland remain strong. The present town of New Mirpur was built largely with finances sent back to Kashmir from family members in the UK.
Among those who went to the UK were two young people from one family who saw their lives changed radically and unexpectedly by God's intervention. Their father had set up a stall in a local market. One day, a Christian left his Bible on the stall. The father took it back to his home.
For several years, one of the girls in the family had been longing for freedom from her vicious and aggressive personality. She hated the way she treated her family, but could do nothing about it. Her desire for inner purity was profound. She longed for a new life. When the Bible came into her home, she took it to her room and opened it.
Azad Kashmiris Desire for quality of life
In her very first experience of reading the Bible her eyes fell on the following passage: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44).
It was a perfect description of the quality of life she desired. Some years later, when she heard the gospel preached and responded to Christ, she found in Him the ability to live out what she had read. Her sister was soon converted, and God is working in the lives of other family members.
Prayer Guide for the Azad Kashmiris
* There are probably many thousands of Azad Kashmiris who long to be right with God. Most of them would not even dream that it is possible to enter into a heavenly kingdom. Pray for them that they might discover this hidden treasure (Matthew 13:45-46).
* Pray that God will continue to send labourers into the Kashmiri community who can share the Good News of the kingdom of God.
* Pray that the intimate knowledge of God through Christ Jesus will go back to Azad Kashmir through the very strong family and cultural ties upheld by the community, and that those who come to faith will be strengthened to stand firm in the face of the pressures which those ties bring to bear (Acts 8:26-40).
* In recent times the government of Pakistan has decided to raise the level of the Mangla Dam and Lake another 10 metres to increase water reserves and hydroelectric capacity. At least another 44,000 people will be displaced. Pray that they may receive just compensation, and that God will meet them in the changes and in their distress.
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