Stuck in poverty and the military’s grip, Pakistan is on the road to ruin

IT WAS 8 o’clock on Sunday morning and I had woken early. Breakfast long since eaten, I thought I’d pop to church. What I hadn’t bargained for was a dozen or so armed policemen stationed outside and being frisked before I went in.

I was half-expecting some VIP but no: this is the new normal in Pakistan, it seems. The church itself was reasonably full. The congregation comprised a few married couples, one policeman, two Africans, a few local lads and about 50 nuns. I was the only European. In fact, I didn’t see another white person in two days on my “weekend break with a difference”.

“We live in dark days in Pakistan,” the priest, himself Pakistani, intoned. Ever since Osama bin Laden had been killed by American special forces some four hours’ drive away, he had been receiving threats. “But we will continue to bear out our witness of Christ’s love,” he concluded, resignedly. The nun next to me beamed.