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Pakistan
Pakistan as an independent state came into existence on August 14, 1947, when it seceded from India soon after independence from Britain. Later on, in 1971, East Pakistan seceded to become Bangladesh after a nine months–long war. Tensions with India have propelled the country into a nuclear arms race and caused armed conflict in Kashmir.
Religious minorities in Pakistan, including Christians, are sometimes subject to violence and unequal treatment due to many unjustifiable reasons. Some violence against Christian aims at targeting American interests and symbols of Western cultures, which has undoubtedly influenced the church in Pakistan in many ways. However, there is abundant evidence of peaceful coexistence among different religious groups in spite of sporadic violence and religious and ethnic conflict.
The PC(USA) works in Pakistan through mission personnel and in close cooperation with its church partners, engaging in development, educational, health and evangelistic ministries. One example is the Thal Project, which provides agricultural services to Christian and Muslim villages in the Thal Desert of north-central Pakistan. This project, established in the 1950s, works with residents to address problems not only in agriculture but also education, health, infrastructure and community participation and organization. Forman Christian College, founded in 1864 by a Presbyterian mission worker, has educated many of Pakistan’s leaders, including some influential leaders such as President Pervez Musharraf and a few other members of the cabinet. The college was nationalized in 1972 but returned in 2003 to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) after 31 years of government control. |
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Related Stories
February 21, 2008 [ENI] WCC urges peaceful resolution to Kenya, Pakistan, Gaza conflicts
January 11, 2008 Normally safe Lahore shaken by latest Pakistan bombing
January 11, 2008 Correction: Forman Christian College is operating normally
January 3, 2008 Letter from Veeda Javaid, Executive Director, Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
December 30, 2007 Appeal for prayer from Victor Azariah, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Pakistan
December 28, 2007 Letter from Veeda Javaid, Executive Director, Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
December 27, 2007 Letter from partners in Pakistan
December 21, 2007 Denationalized Forman Christian College sees rapid growth, especially Christian students
September 19, 2007 [ENI] Pakistan’s Christians fear they are terrorist targets
August 15, 2007 PDA Situation Reports: Asia flooding, earthquake
July 25, 2007 Churches hail reinstatement of Pakistan's chief justice
May 16, 2007 Pakistan’s Christians dismayed at failure to amend blasphemy law
May 8, 2007 Churches protest dismissal of Pakistan judge
April 5, 2007 Christians in Pakistan fearful for Easter after blasphemy charges
"Celebration and gratitude in Pakistan," Spring/Summer2006 Highlights 
"Renaissance at Forman Christian College," Spring/Summer2006 Highlights
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