ICC Note:

Christians in Pakistan participated in a national day of prayer to remember the victims of terrorism in the country. This comes days after terrorists attacked a university in Charsadda, killing 21 people in injuring another 30. Christians in Pakistan have also been the victims of terrorists attacks. In March 2015, suicide bombers from the Pakistani Taliban attacked two churches in Lahore. In September 2013, All Saints Church was attacked by members of the Pakistani Taliban, killing over 100 Christians gathered for church. 

1/25/2016 Pakistan (Asia News) – The Catholic Church in Pakistan held a national day of prayer to remember the victims of terrorism and to pray for peace in Pakistan.

On the Church’s initiative, prayer vigils were held yesterday in many cities across the country, following the massacre at the university in Charsadda, where armed men attacked students and teachers, killing 21 people and wounding 30 on January 20. The Anglican Church and Pentecostal communities joined the initiative.

This comes a few days after civil society groups organized vigils, the National Commission for Justice and Peace issued a message and some NGOs held a rally to urge the government to provide more education to youth and take immediate action against terrorists.

Ecumenical prayer meetings and torchlight processions were held in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad (Punjab), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where Charsadda is located.

“We have suffered a lot from terrorism and we pray for peace and tolerance in the society,” said Fr. Arshed Gill, who serves in Mardan Diocese (30 km east from Charsadda). “Everyone here wants peace. We will unite and promote harmony. ”

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