The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a mosaic of ethnic groups held together by their common Islamic religion (97% of the population are Muslim). Due to a long period of British colonization, English is widely spoken and understood among the educated, though Urdu has now been declared the official language. Pakistan has had a history of instability, having suffered three wars since its creation in 1947, as well as military regimes and corrupt governments. Economic hardships prevail as a result of rapid population growth, heavy military expenditures, an influx of refugees from neighbouring wars, and corruption. Militant Islamic forces are putting increasing pressure on Christians, despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Christians who attempt to witness publicly are liable to run into opposition which has, on occasions, resulted in arrest, imprisonment, and the charge of having "blasphemed the Prophet."

International Christian Fellowship (which later merged with SIM) entered Pakistan in 1954 in a cooperative relationship with the existing West Pakistan Christian Council. In the early days, they worked primarily among nominal and unchurched Christians, who were very open to ministry. Later the missionaries began outreach to tribal groups and to the majority community. The churches related to SIM are known as the Pakistan Christian Fellowship of Churches.

SIM missionaries encourage church growth through theological education by extension, short term Bible schools, and discipleship. Evangelism and church planting are focused among tribal groups and the majority community through relationships. There is also a focus on ministries with women and children. Sales of Scriptures, a bookmobile ministry, radio, and Bible correspondence courses also facilitate outreach.

Please pray for:

1. Open hearts to the gospel, especially among the majority people group.
   
2. Open doors to several new people groups and areas for which SIM and PCF have a growing vision.
   
3. Spiritual awakening among believers, and genuine salvation of the many nominal Christians.
   
4. PCF to continue to have a growing sense of ownership and responsibility for projects run in cooperation with SIM, and for an ability to make wise decisions in planning for the future.
   
5. Humble, godly, and equipped leaders for the church.
   
6. Marawari believers to meet regularly for worship, fellowship, and teaching and be formed into local churches with an evangelistic heart.