Christian in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Christians in Pakistan are a minority community spread across urban and rural areas, primarily in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Many trace their roots to conversions during the British colonial period when missionaries offered education and dignity to marginalized groups, including those from oppressed castes. Over time, Christian communities established schools, hospitals, and churches, contributing significantly to social development. Despite these contributions, Christians have faced systemic discrimination and persecution, which continues today.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Christians in Pakistan live in modest conditions. Many work in sanitation, domestic labor, or as day laborers, while others serve in education, healthcare, and skilled trades. Families are close-knit, and extended relatives often live nearby. Community life revolves around church activities, weddings, and seasonal celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. These occasions include worship services, shared meals, and cultural traditions like singing carols and preparing festive foods such as biryani and sweet dishes. Despite poverty and social stigma, Christian communities value hospitality and mutual support.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Christians in Pakistan identify with various denominations, including Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant traditions. Most profess faith in Jesus Christ and participate in church life, but biblical understanding is often limited due to lack of discipleship and resources. While many are faithful in worship, spiritual growth is hindered by poverty, illiteracy, and fear of persecution. There is a strong need for teaching that emphasizes the gospel and equips believers to live courageously for Christ.


What Are Their Needs?

Access to education and healthcare is inadequate for many Christian families, especially those in rural areas. Economic opportunities are limited, and discrimination often confines Christians to menial jobs. Legal protections are weak, leaving communities vulnerable to false accusations under blasphemy laws and forced conversions. Spiritually, Christians in Pakistan need strong leadership, discipleship programs, and access to Scripture in Urdu and Punjabi. Churches require encouragement and training to become part of the global mission force.


Prayer Items

Pray for courage and hope for Christians facing persecution and discrimination in Pakistan.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give Pakistani Christians love and boldness to share the hope that is in Christ with their Muslim neighbors.
Pray for provision of education and healthcare so families can thrive physically and socially.
Intercede for churches to grow in spiritual maturity and become active participants in global missions.


Scripture Prayers for the Christian in Pakistan.


References

Barnabas Aid: Living for Christ in Pakistan
Global Christian Relief: Pakistani Christians Experience Tragedy—and Hope
Voice of the Martyrs: Praying for Persecuted Christians in Pakistan


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Christian
People Name in Country Christian
Alternate Names क्रिस्चियन अनस्पेसिफाइड
Population this Country 348,000
Population all Countries 2,098,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16961
ROP3 Code 112266
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 8  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Punjab
235,000
Islamabad
65,000
Sindh
44,000
Balochistan
2,600
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
1,600
Gilgit-Baltistan
700
Azad Kashmir
400
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 8  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Punjab 235,000
  Islamabad 65,000
  Sindh 44,000
  Balochistan 2,600
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,600
  Gilgit-Baltistan 700
  Azad Kashmir 400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
100.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (207,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Saraiki
86,000
Sindhi
19,000
Urdu
12,000
Hindko, Southern
6,500
Marwari (Pakistan)
5,800
Pahari-Potwari
3,900
English
3,500
Bagri
400
Hindko, Northern
300
Dhatki
200
Shina
100
Pashto, Southern
60
Burushaski
60
Punjabi, Eastern
40
Pashto, Northern
40
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (207,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Saraiki 86,000
  Sindhi 19,000
  Urdu 12,000
  Hindko, Southern 6,500
  Marwari (Pakistan) 5,800
  Pahari-Potwari 3,900
  English 3,500
  Bagri 400
  Hindko, Northern 300
  Dhatki 200
  Shina 100
  Pashto, Southern 60
  Burushaski 60
  Punjabi, Eastern 40
  Pashto, Northern 40
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Children's Bible app Bible4Kidz
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.