Day 7: Islamabad, Pakistan

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

Nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad is Pakistan’s carefully planned capital city. Unlike the bustling, historic cities of Lahore or Karachi, Islamabad was built in the 1960s with the purpose of serving as a modern political and administrative center. Its name means “City of Islam,” and it reflects Pakistan’s desire to anchor its national identity in Islam.

Home to about 1.2 million people, Islamabad houses key government offices, foreign embassies, and elite educational institutions. It stands in contrast to much of the rest of the country. It is cleaner, quieter, and more orderly—but beneath the surface, many of the same spiritual and societal challenges remain.

Islamabad is more cosmopolitan than other parts of Pakistan, yet Islam shapes every area of life. Over 95% of the population is Muslim, mostly Sunni, with some Shia communities. Religious identity is deeply tied to national identity, and conversion from Islam is viewed as betrayal—socially, culturally, and often legally.

Despite strict religious expectations, many—especially youth—are wrestling with questions of purpose, identity, and truth. Education, access to technology, and exposure to global culture are opening hearts to explore deeper spiritual meaning. Yet the cost of following Jesus remains high: persecution, rejection, and even violence.

There is a small Christian minority in the city, mostly from historic churches or lower-caste backgrounds, and many work as laborers or sanitation workers. A handful of churches serve these communities, but outreach to the majority population is extremely sensitive.