Pakistani Pastor Martyred
February 1, 2008


Pastor Sajid William was shot and killed by unidentified, masked gunmen on January 17. William, age 29, was on his way home in the city of Peshawar, in Pakistan’s violent Northwest Frontier Province.

VOM contacts report that Pastor Sajid was employed by a humanitarian relief agency and also involved in evangelistic work.

Unknown assailants were standing near a bend in the road along William’s route on January 17. Because of the sharp corner, the pastor had to reduce the speed of the car. When the car came close to the attackers, they ordered William to stop the car. When he saw the attackers’ weapons though, William tried to speed past them. The attackers open fired. Three shots were fired. Two bullets missed, but the third hit the pastor’s back and passed through his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The world watched following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December. We hope the world will also remember the death of this pastor, killed simply for being a passionate follower of Jesus Christ,” said Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs. “We pray for comfort for his wife and young daughter, and we pray that bold witnesses for Christ will be raised up in Peshawar and throughout Pakistan.”

Pastor Sajid had worked with the Assembly of God Church in Peshawar for the past 10 years. He is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old daughter. Pray for his grieving family and church. Ask God to comfort and encourage believers in Peshawar and for opportunities for them to witness to those around them.