Our safe house project should be completed by the end of May.
Dear Supporters,
I hope this message finds you well.
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has restarted their direct debits and regular donations using our new CAF Bank account. Your continued trust and support mean a great deal to us and
help us continue serving persecuted and vulnerable Christians in Pakistan.
For anyone who still needs to update their standing order details, please use our new charity account for all future donations:
Account Name: Help For Persecuted Christians
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 73013626
We are also pleased to report that construction of our permanent safe house and office
continues to progress well. However, rising construction and material costs linked to the recent US-Iran conflict have significantly increased expenses in Pakistan.
To complete the main structure, furnish the property, and install vital security measures — including CCTV, reinforced doors, and a biometric entry system — we urgently need to raise a further £3,500.
This safe house will provide emergency refuge for Christians fleeing persecution, abuse,
forced conversions, false accusations, and domestic violence. Every donation helps bring this life-saving project closer to completion. Read more (here)
Our
main title appeal this week focuses on Fanson Shahid, a Christian husband and father sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024 under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws following allegations linked to social media activity that his family strongly denies.
His imprisonment has left his wife and children traumatised and struggling financially. BACA is now preparing an application for suspension of sentence while Fanson awaits a hearing before the Lahore High Court.
Your
support will help fund urgent legal representation, support the family’s basic needs, and continue our advocacy against the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Read more (here)
You will also find several further case updates and ongoing appeals later in this newsletter. Some stories have been retained from previous editions because these cases remain active and families continue to require legal, financial, and emergency support. We will continue updating supporters whenever important developments arise.
Finally, thank you to everyone supporting my international law
internship appeal. Alongside my voluntary work for BACA, I have personally raised £1,000 while working as a security officer in Aberdeen (Read more about my experience in the security industry here), and in addition the crowdfunding appeal has now reached
£1,650.
I only need a little more support to secure the internship placement. If the appeal reaches its target, I will be able to use the £1,000 I raised towards living expenses in China rather using it to pay towards the internship than taking on additional paid work as an English teacher. This would allow me to dedicate more time to continuing BACA’s advocacy and casework while abroad. You can still donate towards this
(here)
This opportunity will strengthen my
ability to advocate for persecuted Christians through future international legal and human rights work, so thank you to everyone supporting this journey.
Thank you, as always, for your prayers, generosity, and compassion.
Blessings,
Hannah Chowdhry
