ICC Note:
Christians in Pakistan continue to suffer persecution as extremism continues to take hold of Pakistan’s Muslim majority population. False blasphemy accusations, destruction of Christian communities by mobs of extremists, forced conversion and marriage, rape and murder are only some of the issues faced by Christians still living in Pakistan. Please pray for this persecuted community.
12/15/2013 Pakistan (UPI) – In Landi Kotal Bazaar, a 27-year-old vendor pushes his cart through the streets of his Khyber Agency community in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas near the Afghanistan border, selling nail polish, pocket mirrors, lipstick, toothpaste and toothbrushes, face cream and other cosmetics.
He used to earn $5 to $8 a day selling cellphones and ringtones in his shop, but now he said he attracts two to five customers a day and takes home just $1.50 to $2.
The father of four, ages 1 to 7, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he closed his shop five years ago after threats from unknown militants.
“I was compelled to abandon the education of two of my children, as we have no money to pay school fees,” he said.
FATA militancy has forced hundreds of tribal people to change jobs or even flee the country, fearing for their lives.
From singers to tribal police officers, about 500 people have been injured or killed, or have lost property to militancy in the last 10 years, local government records and media reports show.
Doctors, journalists, barbers, artists, electronics dealers and members of minorities, including Christians and Sikhs, are among those who say they have sacrificed money and property to appease militants from groups like the Taliban. Dozens of others have suffered injuries in explosions and target killings.
Many professionals have escaped to safer zones in Pakistan and abroad. In some cases, militants forced them to change their professions or go underground.
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