Pakistan
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Asia
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 796,095 sq km796,095 sq km, which includes 83,700 sq km of UN-divided Kashmir controlled by Pakistan. Arid mountains in the north and west. Desert in the east and southeast. Vast irrigation schemes in the fertile Indus River valley.
Population: 184,753,300 Annual Growth: 2.19%
Capital: Islamabad
Urbanites: 37%
HDI Rank: 141 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 463 (97% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: English is the official government language, Urdu is the national language and becoming widely understood by most Pakistanis Languages: 77All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 4,526,456 | 2.45 | 1.8 |
| Evangelicals | 1,140,589 | 0.6 | 3.3 |
| Muslim | 176,993,661 | 95.80 |
Answer to Prayer
Prayer movements within Pakistan– and for Pakistan from abroad – have quickly multiplied and grown. Thousands intercede for breaking events, emerging needs and long-standing challenges. A troubled land such as Pakistan surely stands in need of prayer.Challenge for Prayer
Pakistan’s government alternatesbetween inept civilian parties crippled by infighting and corruption, and autocratic military dictatorships. Economic and social development is then hindered, while too much power and wealth lies in the hands of a few elite. The country is under stress from fundamentalist forces in Pakistan’s west and neighbouring Afghanistan as well as in the Punjab. Tensions with India and long-standing troubles in Kashmir, a region driven by religious and political divisions, also threaten stability. Pray that Pakistan would be freed from spirits of lawlessness and violence that continue to bleed the nation. Pray for the raising of leaders of integrity and a government that will be effective in moving the nation forward and uplifting those who most need their protection and assistance. That Pakistan persists as a nation at all is a testament to the amazing resilience and flexibility of its people.For an additional 13 Challenges for Prayer see Operation Worldbook, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
