Pakistan - insights into: | Loving Muslims Through Prayer

Pakistan - insights into:

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Pakistan means, “Land of the Pure” or “The Holy Land”.

Formed in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, its primary identity is religious rather than ethnic or historical. The largest single ethnic group are the Punjabis (80 million) from the rich agricultural province of Punjab, but the Pushtun, Baluch and Sindhi communities are also significant in size and influence. Urdu, the national language, is the mother tongue of only a minority of peoples within the nation.

This diversity is at the root of growing tensions within Pakistan and in recent years it has resulted in rising levels of both ethnic and sectarian (especially Sunni vs. Shia) violence. The inability of the various groups to live together in peace under the banner of Islam has caused many to question the ideological basis of the country. This was especially seen in the subdued way in which people commemorated 50 years of independence in 1997.

Bondages in Pakistan

The dissatisfaction with what Pakistan has become; e.g. rampant corruption, drug addiction and violence in “the land of the pure”, has opened the door for Islamic fundamentalists to offer their solution to the social problems through an Islamic revolution. This has tended to make the already beleaguered Christian minority even more apprehensive. Yet despite of the growing influence of fundamentalism, Pakistanis today, especially the educated, are more open to consider other options than at any time since the formation of the country.

Religiously, Islam in Pakistan venerates the person of Mohammed to an extent that comes close to the Islamic definition of idolatry. The “blasphemy law”, which forbids demeaning God or his prophets, has been used predominantly as a means to settle scores, both against other Muslims and against minorities, including Christians. Yet under the surface of official Islam there lies a world of bondage to charms, spirits and the “evil eye”.

Pray for the Muslims in Pakistan:

* Pray that the growing undercurrents of dissatisfaction will not erupt into widespread violence but open their hearts to new options, especially the Gospel.

* Pray for the Pakistani church, historically small, weak and divided, to be renewed and set on fire with a vision for ministry to their neighbours. Pray for literature and other resources to be produced in the heart languages of the people.

* Pray that the power of folk-Islam, including the power of charms, curses and amulets, would be broken and that people would be free to respond to the Gospel.

Background on Pakistan (World Factbook)

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad’s marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions since 2002.

Economy of Pakistan

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. However, IMF-approved government policies, bolstered by generous foreign assistance and renewed access to global markets since 2001, have generated solid macroeconomic recovery the last five years. Inflation remains the biggest threat to the economy.

About Pakistan

Population: 167,762,040 (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 64.13 years

Ethnic Groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants)

Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi’a 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3%

Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski and other 8%

Literacy: 49.9% — Male: 63%, Female: 36%