16 Years on the Front Lines Defending Persecuted Christians in Pakistan

For the last 16 years, our on-the-ground legal team has been on the front lines in Pakistan providing legal defense for our Christian brothers and sisters who face discrimination, violence, and imprisonment for one reason: their faith.

We fight cases where justice is denied and persecution is routine. Much of this work occurs behind the scenes, guiding our Pakistan team in preparing for hearings, prepping clients for in-court testimony, and filing hundreds of petitions in Pakistani courts. Because our clients are risking everything by testifying against hostile opponents – painstaking preparation is necessary.

We have successfully represented many clients in varying cases, including justice obtained for rape victims, for those falsely accused of blasphemy, and for those whose family members were murdered because of their faith.

One thing that never gets old is meeting and working with our clients and their families face-to-face. Our goal and hope is that these meetings encourage our clients as much as they encourage our legal team. Each time we engage with them, my confidence in our work grows stronger. I return filled with gratitude and a renewed energy to fight for our clients – who have now become more like family.

Even in our clients’ profound suffering – even in the face of crimes like rape or murder – their joy always overwhelms me, and they somehow always show immense gratitude for our work. It is truly beyond words.

Case Update

There has been significant movement in several critical cases, and I want to bring you up to date. Please continue praying – these moments are pivotal, and justice is still unfolding.

We have told you before about Shahzad Masih. He’s a young Christian who was falsely accused of committing blasphemy when he was just 16 years old. He was sentenced to death and has been in prison for over eight years. We also have three more clients in the same prison –  brothers Amoon and Qaiser Ayub and Ahsan Masih (no relation to Shahzad). Like Shahzad, all three are also on death row. The Ayub brothers have spent more than 10 years in prison, and Ahsan has been in prison for over two years.

While I have been able to meet with all four at the prison when in Pakistan over the years (and once even had a meal with Amoon, which his wife prepared and brought to the prison that day), due to recent prison rule changes, sadly, this time, I was only able to talk to them on the phone. We discussed progress in their cases, and they each told me that they continue to follow Christ and remain committed to their daily Bible studies.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet Shahzad’s father who relayed to me that, even amid his circumstances, Shahzad continues to assist and encourage other prisoners. For example, about two years ago, due to his exemplary conduct, Shahzad was entrusted by other prisoners with the responsibility of collecting daily-use items from the prison store – items funded by prisoners’ families for personal necessities like toiletries and snacks. Previously, the prisoner in charge had stolen and sold these items. Shahzad is faithfully conducting this responsibility for many of those inmates, most of whom are Muslim. His consistent Bible study and his exemplary handling of this responsibility are a profound testimony to other prisoners and staff.

In my most recent visit to Pakistan, I also attended an important hearing and our prepared lawyers on the ground who are representing Shahzad. We previously filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, asking the Court to hear Shahzad’s argument for appeal. We informed the court about, among other things, the unjust time Shahzad has already spent in prison and requested that our appeal be heard. Later that day, we received an electronic notice that the court has scheduled the appeal to be heard on January 27, but if the past is prologue, there’s no guarantee it will happen. For the past several hearings, the court simply hasn’t been able to get to all the cases on the docket that day. We hope and pray that the court hears the argument this time. We will keep you posted.

As we await our next hearing date for Shahzad, take action with us and add your name to our petition to save him from execution.

This is the first in a series of articles where I will share my firsthand experiences about the ACLJ's work in Pakistan. In my next article, I will discuss the case of a seven-year-old Christian girl who was abused by a Muslim neighbor and how we are fighting for justice for her.