Pakistan is a second largest Islamic Country in the World. The majority of its population with 95% is Muslim, and 5% are religious minorities. Christians are the largest religious minority in Pakistan with 3% of the total population and 2/3 Christians are living in the province of Punjab Pakistan, which is currently known as a hub for persecution of Christians in Pakistan. Punjab is the largest province with 62% of the total population of the Country. 99% of blasphemy/Sharia cases are registered against Christians only in the province of Punjab.

During these most recent years there have had been several major incidents of persecution, such as:

• Bomb blast on Easter day March 27^th Christian community was targeted
• Two Churches “St. John Catholic Church and Christ Church” were attacked. 22 people died, 86 seriously injured
• 135 Christians were arrested after protest for not providing security to Churches. 42 are still in prison and they are facing trial of death sentence charges of section 302.
• A couple was burnt alive at a brick kiln factory after falsely accusation of Blasphemy
• The wife Shama Bibi was pregnant.
• Several new cases of Blasphemy against Christians
• Forced conversion and forced marriages of Christian girls. According to USCIRF 700 Christian girls are every year forcibly converted to Islam Violent mob attacks against Christians

Objective:

Standing together for persecuted to promote freedom of religion or belief.

C.L.A.R.A project’s achievement during first 3 years:

• Relief, medical treatment and rehabilitation of 55 blast victims of 2016 Easter day in Lahore
• Rehabilitation of 31 families of Churches blast victims in Lahore through small business opportunities in 2016. Food relief and financial assistance was also provided.
• Food relief and medical financial assistance to 86 seriously injured victims of Churches blast victims in Lahore in 2015
• Financial assistance to 42 faith-based prisoners for their basic needs in prison. These Christians were arrested for protesting for not providing security to Churches.
• Food relief and financial assistance for the families of 135 faith-based prisoners in Lahore
• Trauma counseling to the 221 victim families of Churches blast in Lahore
• 11 Blasphemy victims and displaced families are being supported through shelter and food
• 4 Blasphemy victims are being provided free legal assistance
• 10 victims of forced conversion are provided legal assistance and shelter
• A computer education program is established for the victim families of Churches blast, where young members of these families are getting free education to uplift their families economically
• A skill development center is established for the victim girls and women, who are victim of forced conversion and persecution
• Advocacy for the promotion and protection of rights of Christians in Pakistan
• Printing of FORB booklet to promote education for freedom of religion or belief
• Christian Muslim dialogues to resolve conflicts peacefully and to promote co-existence, pluralism and tolerance

Outcomes:

• Persecuted Christians are not left alone in their times of persecution
• Saving hundreds of Christians through providing legal assistance, shelter, food, medical, trauma counseling
• Raised awareness through advocacy on persecution of Christians within Pakistan and to international community as well.
• Rehabilitation of the persecuted