How Did the Gospel Get to Pakistan?
Out of a population of 219.9 million, an estimated 3.3 million people in Pakistan claim to be Christians. As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to Pakistanis. So, how did Pakistan get to this point?
HOW WAS THE GOSPEL BROUGHT TO PAKISTAN?
The gospel may have first reached what is now Pakistan as early as the first century AD. Traditions holds that the Apostle Thomas traveled east to share the gospel, possibly reaching Taxila, an ancient city in modern-day Pakistan. But historians disagree about whether Thomas visited this region, and there is no conclusive evidence of a Christian community in the area dating back to that time.
By the late 1500s, there was a more clearly documented presence of Christianity when Jesuit missionaries traveled to the Mughal Empire. Emperor Akbar invited Christian missionaries to his court for religious discussions. By the 1590s, Jesuits had established a presence in Lahore—the capital of the Mughal Empire and part of modern-day Parkistan—and built a church there. However, these early Catholic missions had limited long-term impact.
In the 19th century, the most influential growth of Christianity occurred when Protestant missionaries began establishing churches, schools, and other ministries in the country, particularly in Punjab. These efforts helped lay the foundations for many of Pakistan’s Christian communities today.
WHAT DOES THE CHURCH LOOK LIKE TODAY?
Today, less than 2% of Pakistan’s population identifies as Christian within the predominantly Muslim country. Pakistan’s identity as an Islamic state is central to understanding the situation of Christians today.
In 1947, Pakistan was created through the partition of British India. Pakistan became a homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent, amid deep religious and political tensions.
In 1956, Pakistan formally became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The country’s 1973 constitution established Islam as the state religion and required laws to conform to Islamic principles. Although the constitution guarantees citizens the right to practice and profess their religion, Islam holds a privileged position in the country’s legal and political system.
Being a Christian in Pakistan can come with significant social and personal risks. Christians can face discrimination, economic marginalization, and pressure because of their faith. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws also create serious risks, including imprisonment, threats, or violence. Christians who convert from Islam may face hostility and disownment from family and their community.
Because of this pressure, many believe that the number of Pakistani Christians may be higher than 2%. Many believers choose to live in secret due to persecution. But despite these challenges, Christians continue to share their faith and gather as the Church.
HOW CAN YOU PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN PAKISTAN?
With 96% of Pakistan’s population identifying as Muslim, pray for the gospel to be heard and for salvation through Christ alone to be known and believed. Pakistani Christians often face violence, and they live under laws that make it difficult to share the gospel. Pray for their safety and for them to be bold in sharing their faith. Pray for believers from an Islamic background to be strengthened in their faith and encouraged by their brothers and sisters in Christ, as many will lose their family and friends.
Pray for Radical’s partnership to train young believers and church leaders from rural areas in Pakistan. The goal is to encourage them, train them in biblical understanding, and to equip them for evangelism among Muslims. These believers are trained and strengthened through Bible studies, teachings, and one-on-one counseling.
As we pray to see the church grow in Pakistan, we also pray for the next generation of church leaders and believers to be equipped with a firm foundation and with evangelism skills.
