A pastor survived a murder attempt in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on the morning of Sunday, September 21.
Pastor Kamran Naz had been traveling by bus, accompanied by his mother, from his home in Gujranwala to lead a church service in Islamabad when he was attacked by two unidentified gunmen.
One bullet wounded the pastor on the right leg. A second bullet narrowly missed his head. The attackers then fled on a motorcycle as some church members who were present swiftly came to the pastor’s aid and contacted the emergency services.
Pastor Kamran Naz received emergency treatment following the attempt on his life on Sunday, September 21. [Image credit: National News Nama]
Police gathered details from Pastor Kamran while he was in hospital. A case of attempted murder was registered and is currently under investigation.
Pastor Kamran had previously notified the police of numerous death threats he had received. He was warned to stop ministering at the church or face the consequences. His threateners claimed, among other accusations, that he was “proselytizing among Afghan refugees.”
For his own and his family’s safety Pastor Kamran had left his home in Islamabad to relocate to Gujranwala. He had continued to make the journey between the two cities, a distance of around 140 miles, to minister at his church on Sundays.
Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, described the attack as a “a direct challenge to our community’s right to live in peace and security.”
“We will not be intimidated or silenced,” he added. “We demand that the authorities immediately ensure the protection of Christian leaders and hold the criminals accountable. If the government continues to ignore these threats, it becomes complicit in the persecution.”
After receiving initial legal assistance, the pastor’s family went into hiding at an undisclosed location and were not contactable at the time of writing.
The incident follows just two weeks after a Pakistani Christian was shot dead on his way to attend a Christian festival on Sunday, September 7.
How You Can Pray
Give thanks that Pastor Kamran survived this attempt on his life and pray for his continuing recovery. Pray for protection for the pastor, his family and the church in Islamabad, that their faith will be sustained and grow despite this attack. Pray that the perpetrators will be identified, brought to justice and called to repentance.
