Islamabad, Jan 15 (NationPress) Christians in Pakistan are confronted with significant obstacles, ranging from threats of violence to widespread discrimination. A recent report reveals that the nation's blasphemy laws are being exploited to intimidate both Christians and other minority groups.

An accusation can lead to mob violence not only against the accused but also their families and the broader Christian community. The government's weakness and the rising power of extremist Islamist factions leave Christians with scant legal protection, further amplifying their vulnerability, according to an Open Doors report.

Women and girls within the Christian community are often victims of abduction, rape, forced marriage, and conversion, with some victims as young as seven. Despite the continuous persecution, many Christians in Pakistan steadfastly adhere to their faith.

According to the report, radical Islamist groups and even certain families view conversion as a dishonorable act of betrayal. Christians transitioning from a Muslim background may face grave consequences for their decision to follow Jesus. The majority of Christians belong to an ‘untouchable’ caste of sweepers, experiencing systemic discrimination.

Many Christians are relegated to low-status or dangerous jobs, often categorized as unclean. Some find themselves ensnared in bonded labor, such as at brick kilns, where they toil to repay debts that seem impossible to clear, trapping their families in a cycle of poverty. This perpetuates their marginalization within Pakistani society.

The majority of these incidents occur in the Punjab province, where most Christians reside. However, Sindh is notorious for bonded labor, affecting numerous Christians. Conversely, fewer Christians inhabit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, making them more susceptible to violence due to their isolation, as highlighted in the report.

This year has seen little change, with Pakistan holding the eighth position on the World Watch List, indicating that life remains grim for many Christians. While incidents of violence are relatively low, this is largely because Christians have been compelled to remain silent about their faith—an indication of the dangers they face in Pakistan for following Jesus,” the report concluded.