Open Doors – a global network to encourage and raise up people in every nation to support and speak up for Christians who suffer for their faith – presented the World Watch List at a high-level event at the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by the Chairs of the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Inter-group, MEP Miriam Lexmann and MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, and co-hosted by MEP Matej Tonin.
During the Q&A session, Joseph Janssen, a rights activist from Pakistan, highlighted the vulnerability of religious minorities despite legislative progress. Although the parliament passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act in May 2025, setting 18 as the minimum legal marriage age, he noted that the minority girls continue to be abducted, forcibly converted to other religion, and married to their abductors, with little to no implementation of the law.
He also said that the courts continue to apply strict ‘religious’ laws over ordinary civil laws in such cases. He drew attention to the misuse of the blasphemy laws, which he believed were used to target Christians through false accusations, leading to mob violence, church attacks, and prolonged imprisonment without justice. He cited the 2023 Jaranwala attacks, where at least 26 churches were burned down, noting that no perpetrators have been held accountable to date.
While the government has taken limited action against extremist groups, Joseph Janssen emphasized that religious prisoners remain incarcerated, victims have not received justice, and impunity persists. He questioned when the European Parliament would follow up on its 2021 resolution on the blasphemy laws, and whether the Europe would consider suspending GSP+ trade status due to what he believes its ‘failure’ to meet human rights obligations under the global conventions.
The World Watch List 2026 underscores that Christians in Pakistan—who make up just 1.8% of the population—continue to face systemic discrimination, violence, forced conversions, bonded labor, and gender-based persecution, with little protection from the state. Open Doors has continued to strengthen those who suffer violent persecution and discrimination for their faith. And the organization speaks out for freedom of religion or belief, as a cornerstone of human rights.
As growing numbers of Christians are targeted for their faith, more than ever, they need to be heard, understood and supported on their journey. With the aid of the global community, Open Doors is serving persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries, working with churches and local partners to provide Bibles, Christian materials, training, livelihood skills and advocacy. Officials said that the organization provides relief aid, livelihood support and community development projects to hundreds of thousands of Christians around the world.
On National Minorities Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding and advancing rights of the minorities while acknowledging their contributions. They said that the constitution guaranteed equal rights to all citizens irrespective of religion, caste, creed, or color, and that it safeguarded the political, economic, religious, social and cultural rights of the minorities.
