Those who speak the Baluchi language (perhaps 8 million people in total) mostly inhabit Baluchistan and the large city of Karachi, Pakistan. A greater number of ethnic Baluch, who speak other languages such as Sindhi and Seraiki, inhabit the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. A former Baluch president of Pakistan, Farooq Leghari, emphasized this point years ago when he said there are more Baluch in the Punjab than in Baluchistan. Some Baluch are also scattered around the Persian Gulf countries, Afghanistan, and Iran (many victims of last year's earthquake in Bam, Iran, were Baluch).

Vast, rugged, describes the area of the Baluch people of Pakistan

Baluchistan is a vast, rugged, mountainous, arid, semi-desert area that is hot (above 120°F or 48°C for the most of the summer) and difficult for farming and life in general. Irrigation is either from deep wells or rain-dependent. Most Baluch are poor, though some have managed to work their way into wealthy political, medical or business positions. The majority still live in rural areas or in small towns. Their occupations are generally fishing, farming and raising livestock (goats and chickens). Baluch fishermen work the coast of the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Inland Baluch raise livestock and farm the land; dates are a major crop, as are vegetables and grains such as wheat. Some are nomads.

In large cities such as Karachi and Quetta, the Baluch pursue a variety of menial jobs, such as truck drivers, rickshaw drivers, office workers, security guards and mechanics: few Baluch work as traders and shop owners. In the Gulf countries they work as police, in the military or at menial jobs.

Tribal systems are still very strong among Baluch in northern Baluchistan. In southern Baluchistan, Karachi, and the Gulf countries the tribal system is mostly extinct; in these areas education and modernisation are being emphasised. The Baluchi language is not taught in the schools, but has been rejuvenated by radio and TV programmes. The Baluch take pride in hospitality, defence of honour, bravery and courage. Though they are generally not very religious, most Baluch identify with Sunni Islam - except for half a million Zikris, who form a small Islamic sect.

Baluch women are mostly illiterate and confined to the home according to Baluch customs. Between household and child-rearing chores, they work on hand embroidery of their own clothes and other items.

Numerous evangelistic efforts have been initiated among the Baluch over the past 25 years. Some Baluch have come to faith in Christ: no-one really knows how many, but probably no more than about 20 or 30 among Baluch speakers. There is some minor persecution of believers, particularly of those who actively share their faith with others. The major need of these believers is employment, so that they can support their families and contribute to their communities.

Pray for the Baluch Muslims in Pakistan:

* Using Romans 10:12-17 as a starting point, pray for more workers to be called to take the gospel to the Baluch people. Pray that God will smooth the way for these workers, and give them divine inspiration and guidance in reaching out to the Baluch.

* Most Baluch women are isolated and cut off from those who could bring the gospel to them. Pray for openings for the Good News to reach Baluch women.

* Using John 16:33 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6 as the basis, pray for those Baluch who have come to know Jesus, that they will remain strong in the faith despite persecution.

* Pray for the few Baluch believers, that they may be prosperous (Genesis 13:2-4; Deuteronomy 8:18).

Background, map and statistics on Pakistan can be found here.