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Pakistan included in list of ten countries unsafe for Christians. By Dr. Emanuel Adil Ghauri
Open Doors, a charity that protects Christians around the world from persecution has been publishing its World Watch List for the past 30 years ranking various countries in terms of persecution of Christians. The list published for 2024 and 2025 lists ten countries as the most unsafe for Christians The names of other countries, including Pakistan are North Korea • Somalia • Libya • Eritrea • Yemen • Nigeria Afghanistan Pakistan Sudan • Iran According to the list, 380,000,000 Christians in 78 countries around the world face extreme persecution and discrimination, however, there are ten countries where Christians are considered the most unsafe. Pakistan ranks seventh out of 10 countries ranked based on the severity of persecution faced by Christians, including government repression, social hostility and violence. Sub-Saharan Africa is ranked as the deadliest region for Christians, with a disproportionate number of faith-related killings.
See an overview of the situation in different countries.
1-North korea
Violence against Christians in North Korea is extremely deadly with the nation consistently ranked as the worst in the world for persecuting Christians. The state views Christianity as a serious threat to the ruling Kim family's image and a tool of Western imperialism, making any religious activity a serious political crime.Christians are immediately executed if their faith is discovered. Public execution is recommended for crimes such as possessing a Bible or engaging in religious rituals. Believers are usually sent to brutal political prison camps (Kwanlisu) as political criminals,
There are currently 50,000 to 70,000 Christians imprisoned in these camps. Torture and Abuse: Prisoners in prison camps face severe ill-treatment. Prisoners in prison camps face severe ill-treatment, including beatings with metal bars and sticks, strangulation, starvation, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture. ocumentary accounts from former detainees describe horrific methods of torture, such as being crucified over fire, crushed under steam rollers, subjected to sexual violence and forced abortion
2-Nijarea
Christians are often targeted through assassinations and kidnappings. According to the Yemeni Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), approximately 53,000 Christians have been killed in targeted political violence since 2009, up until 2025.
According to television host Bill Maher, more than 100,000 people have been killed since 2009, and 18,000 churches have been burned down. On November 21, 2025, gunmen kidnapped 315 Nigerian Christians from St. Mary's School in Papiri, Nigeria. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks
3-Sudan
Christians in Sudan are facing severe and escalating persecution, primarily as a result of the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both warring factions and allied Islamist extremists have systematically targeted their places of worship, creating a climate of constant fear and a severe humanitarian crisis.
More than 165 churches have been damaged, looted or destroyed so far. Churches and Christian buildings have been forcibly occupied by both RSF and SAF-affiliated militias and used as military bases. Priests have been particularly targeted, with reports of priests being kidnapped, shot or stabbed. 4-Somalia
Somalia is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians, who face extreme violence, persecution and the threat of summary execution by militant groups. The violence against Christians stems from a combination of extreme social pressures from extremist groups and within a conservative Islamic culture.Militant groups: Al-Shabaab, an Islamic militant group linked to al-Qaeda, controls large areas of the country and is determined to eradicate Christianity. They enforce a strict interpretation of Sharia law and have targeted and killed numerous Christians.Often on the occasion when their faith is discovered. They also target aid workers, often accusing them of trying to convert people to Christianity. Churches have been burned and priests have faced executions and physical attacks. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a betrayal of both religion and Somali identity,
Due to extreme danger, Christians in Somalia are forced to keep their faith in complete secrecy.
5-Libya
Christians in Libya face extreme violence and persecution from state-affiliated armed groups, making it one of the most dangerous countries for Christians globally. The 2015 beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by the Islamic State in Sirte attracted international attention and is a prominent example of extreme violence.
6-Eritrea
Eritrea practices systematic and severe persecution of Christians, especially those belonging to registered denominations. The government, often referred to as the "North Korea of Africa," is known for its extreme control, arrests, indefinite detention, and torture of Christians without charge or trial.
Christians are closely monitored, with non-traditional Protestants, such as Pentecostals and Evangelicals, facing the harshest treatment and often viewed by the government as “agents of the West.” Even leaders and followers of recognized churches who speak out against government interference are subject to arbitrary arrest.
International organizations, including the United States, have designated Eritrea as a "country of particular concern" for severe violations of religious freedom.
7-Pakistan
Violence against Christians in Pakistan takes many forms, including religious extremism, sectarian violence, misuse of blasphemy laws, extrajudicial killings of suspects, forced marriages of Christian girls, and incidents of religious conversion. Minority communities have been targeted in attacks, Discrimination and oppression have been recorded since 1947 and continue to this day.
8-Afghanistan
Violence and persecution against Christians in Afghanistan are perpetrated by both the Taliban regime and other extremist groups such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), leading to increased forced migration
Christians and other religious minorities have been subjected to threats, harassment, and forced into hiding, with the Taliban government denying their existence and enforcing a strict interpretation of Sharia law.
The Taliban have publicly denied the existence of Christians in Afghanistan and have restored a ministry to enforce their strict interpretation of Sharia law. The Taliban's actions have created a climate of fear, with other extremist groups such as ISKP continuing to carry out violent attacks.The situation has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
9-Iran
Christians in Iran face systematic state-sanctioned persecution, harassment, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, with their imprisonment rate reportedly increasing sixfold recently. The government views evangelical Christianity and religious extremism as a threat to national security. Christians are frequently arrested and detained, often on vague charges such as “acting against national security,” “propaganda against the government,” or engaging in “deviant educational or missionary activity.” Sentences can be lengthy, sometimes exceeding 10 or 15 years
Detained Christians have reported facing torture during interrogation, physical abuse, brutal mistreatment in custody, and prolonged solitary confinement.
10--Yemen
Violence and severe discrimination against Christians in Yemen are issues driven by extremist groups such as ISIS-Y and AQAP, as well as the Houthis. Security concerns prevent reliable data collection, and existing churches are damaged or destroyed in the conflict.
Churches, including historic ones, have been destroyed or damaged by extremist groups and Houthi forces due to the ongoing conflict. : Converts are threatened with death and face deportation if they do not renounce their Christian faith .Christian women are at high risk of sexual harassment, rape, and forced marriage by Muslim men. Christians live in fear and are often forced to practice their faith in secret to avoid persecution and accusations of apostasy, which can be punishable by death.
See an overview of the situation in different countries.
1-North korea
Violence against Christians in North Korea is extremely deadly with the nation consistently ranked as the worst in the world for persecuting Christians. The state views Christianity as a serious threat to the ruling Kim family's image and a tool of Western imperialism, making any religious activity a serious political crime.Christians are immediately executed if their faith is discovered. Public execution is recommended for crimes such as possessing a Bible or engaging in religious rituals. Believers are usually sent to brutal political prison camps (Kwanlisu) as political criminals,
There are currently 50,000 to 70,000 Christians imprisoned in these camps. Torture and Abuse: Prisoners in prison camps face severe ill-treatment. Prisoners in prison camps face severe ill-treatment, including beatings with metal bars and sticks, strangulation, starvation, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture. ocumentary accounts from former detainees describe horrific methods of torture, such as being crucified over fire, crushed under steam rollers, subjected to sexual violence and forced abortion
2-Nijarea
Christians are often targeted through assassinations and kidnappings. According to the Yemeni Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), approximately 53,000 Christians have been killed in targeted political violence since 2009, up until 2025.
According to television host Bill Maher, more than 100,000 people have been killed since 2009, and 18,000 churches have been burned down. On November 21, 2025, gunmen kidnapped 315 Nigerian Christians from St. Mary's School in Papiri, Nigeria. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks
3-Sudan
Christians in Sudan are facing severe and escalating persecution, primarily as a result of the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both warring factions and allied Islamist extremists have systematically targeted their places of worship, creating a climate of constant fear and a severe humanitarian crisis.
More than 165 churches have been damaged, looted or destroyed so far. Churches and Christian buildings have been forcibly occupied by both RSF and SAF-affiliated militias and used as military bases. Priests have been particularly targeted, with reports of priests being kidnapped, shot or stabbed. 4-Somalia
Somalia is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians, who face extreme violence, persecution and the threat of summary execution by militant groups. The violence against Christians stems from a combination of extreme social pressures from extremist groups and within a conservative Islamic culture.Militant groups: Al-Shabaab, an Islamic militant group linked to al-Qaeda, controls large areas of the country and is determined to eradicate Christianity. They enforce a strict interpretation of Sharia law and have targeted and killed numerous Christians.Often on the occasion when their faith is discovered. They also target aid workers, often accusing them of trying to convert people to Christianity. Churches have been burned and priests have faced executions and physical attacks. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a betrayal of both religion and Somali identity,
Due to extreme danger, Christians in Somalia are forced to keep their faith in complete secrecy.
5-Libya
Christians in Libya face extreme violence and persecution from state-affiliated armed groups, making it one of the most dangerous countries for Christians globally. The 2015 beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by the Islamic State in Sirte attracted international attention and is a prominent example of extreme violence.
6-Eritrea
Eritrea practices systematic and severe persecution of Christians, especially those belonging to registered denominations. The government, often referred to as the "North Korea of Africa," is known for its extreme control, arrests, indefinite detention, and torture of Christians without charge or trial.
Christians are closely monitored, with non-traditional Protestants, such as Pentecostals and Evangelicals, facing the harshest treatment and often viewed by the government as “agents of the West.” Even leaders and followers of recognized churches who speak out against government interference are subject to arbitrary arrest.
International organizations, including the United States, have designated Eritrea as a "country of particular concern" for severe violations of religious freedom.
7-Pakistan
Violence against Christians in Pakistan takes many forms, including religious extremism, sectarian violence, misuse of blasphemy laws, extrajudicial killings of suspects, forced marriages of Christian girls, and incidents of religious conversion. Minority communities have been targeted in attacks, Discrimination and oppression have been recorded since 1947 and continue to this day.
8-Afghanistan
Violence and persecution against Christians in Afghanistan are perpetrated by both the Taliban regime and other extremist groups such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), leading to increased forced migration
Christians and other religious minorities have been subjected to threats, harassment, and forced into hiding, with the Taliban government denying their existence and enforcing a strict interpretation of Sharia law.
The Taliban have publicly denied the existence of Christians in Afghanistan and have restored a ministry to enforce their strict interpretation of Sharia law. The Taliban's actions have created a climate of fear, with other extremist groups such as ISKP continuing to carry out violent attacks.The situation has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
9-Iran
Christians in Iran face systematic state-sanctioned persecution, harassment, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, with their imprisonment rate reportedly increasing sixfold recently. The government views evangelical Christianity and religious extremism as a threat to national security. Christians are frequently arrested and detained, often on vague charges such as “acting against national security,” “propaganda against the government,” or engaging in “deviant educational or missionary activity.” Sentences can be lengthy, sometimes exceeding 10 or 15 years
Detained Christians have reported facing torture during interrogation, physical abuse, brutal mistreatment in custody, and prolonged solitary confinement.
10--Yemen
Violence and severe discrimination against Christians in Yemen are issues driven by extremist groups such as ISIS-Y and AQAP, as well as the Houthis. Security concerns prevent reliable data collection, and existing churches are damaged or destroyed in the conflict.
Churches, including historic ones, have been destroyed or damaged by extremist groups and Houthi forces due to the ongoing conflict. : Converts are threatened with death and face deportation if they do not renounce their Christian faith .Christian women are at high risk of sexual harassment, rape, and forced marriage by Muslim men. Christians live in fear and are often forced to practice their faith in secret to avoid persecution and accusations of apostasy, which can be punishable by death.
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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti
On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.