62-year-old Missionary Shot in Pakistan

Friday, December 7, 2012

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (Worthy News)-- A Protestant missionary remains in critical condition in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, after she was shot by gunmen multiple times Tuesday.

Swedish national Bargeeta Almeby was in her car when two men on a motorbike approached her vehicle and repeatedly shot her in the chest, according to Superintendent Malik Liaquat.

The two unidentified gunmen didn't take any cash or valuables.

Police have registered a First Information Report against the pair; the FIR allows police to investigate the shooting without a court order and to arrest any suspects without a warrant.

As the managing Director of Full Gospel Assemblies Bible College in Lahore, Almeby had served as a missionary in Pakistan for 40 years .

A spokesman for the Full Gospel Assemblies said that two unknown men had recently visited Almeby's residence where they inquired about her whereabouts from a security guard.

Nazir Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress, condemned the attack and demanded the arrest of the Islamists involved.

Bhatti said Pakistan's Punjab province is a hotbed of Islamist extremism and a hub of banned terrorist organizations under the supervision of some of the leaders of the Punjab government, according to the Pakistan Christian Post.