Pakistan: Police Raid Sunday Worship Services
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
LAHORE (Worthy News)– Two churches in Lahore, Pakistan, were raided by police during Sunday services on Feb. 8, according to according to International Christian Concern.
During the raids at The Light of the City Church and The Pillars of Truth Assemblies, police harassed both congregations and arrested their pastors on the pretext that the ministry was misusing their sound systems, which the police also confiscated.
Pastor Javaid Austin of The Light of the City Church said: “The local police have violated our right to religious freedom. They entered into the church forcefully as attackers and misbehaved with the pastoral team and the worshipers.”
The worshipers were practically held hostage by the police, said Salik Morris, a church member. The women and children began praying, but stopped when they were threatened by police who told them not to come to church any more.
ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said: “The Christian community of Pakistan continues to be treated like an unwanted religious minority … More must be done by Pakistan to secure the rights of Christians who have played a crucial role in the country’s history.”