Man declared dead rises from the ashes of the Lahore Bomb attack!

Qaisor Pervaiz is now one of the most well known survivors of the Lahore twin bomb attack that occurred on March 15th 2015.The devastating unprovoked bomb
blast instantly killed 17 people and left 86 people injured. The attacks took place at St James Roman Catholic Church and an Anglican church, Christchurch,
which impacted on the entire Christian community in the town of Youhanabad.

Qaisor, his wife, and their eldest child Sitiash.

During the attack Qaisor, a voluntary security officer, saw his colleague rush to apprehend a suicide bomber. Qaisor ran after him to provide assistance
and while his friend grappled with the attacker, Qaisor successfully pinned the bomber’s arms up to prevent him exploding his device. Unfortunately
for the two of them the bomber was partnered by a gunmen who shot the incendiary device around the bomber’s waist. In the resulting blast Qaisor’s
colleague was blown into pieces, howeverQaisor survived by a miracle. The impact should have also shattered him to smithereens but God has a great
plan for Qaisor.  His body was pinned tightly to his friend’s who was between him and the bomber which buffered him from the impact of the explosion.
 The impact broke many of the bones in Qasior’s body and he was left with with 85% burns after an electrical generator near the location he fell
at leaked fuel over him, which subsequently set alight.  Qaisor was seen screaming until he passed out and when paramedics arrived there was weak
signs of life.  During the journey to hospital Qaisor stopped breathing and was whisked into the hospital where attempts were made to resuscitate
him. Qaisor’s time was not over however and his breathing returned but he was in a deep coma.  Qaisor had been taken to Lahore General Hospital,
where there is no specialist burns unit and due to his weak hold on life doctors advised the family to switch of his life support machines and to allow
him to die in peace, for all intents and purposes he was dead to them.  His family refused to believe this and they and the local churches prayed
fervently for the life of Qasior who gave up so much for others, his family who he loved and cared for and even his own life.  It was touch and
go but finally after three days Qaisor woke from his coma and who was present at his side when he woke…none other than our own dedicated officer
Mehwish Bhatti.  Mehwish greeted Qaisor and then rushed out to call in his wife and family and many tears were shed. But this was not the end
of his battle, Qaisor was still weak and was being removed from the hospital as they needed space, yes life can be cruel in Pakistan. Despite the fact
that his health was still deemed critical he was sent home and told what medication and equipment he needed to prevent infections so he could heal
properly.  He was also told he would have to rest for 6 months just so his body could restore itself and to allow his broken bones to rejoin.
Qaisor was the main breadwinner for the family so these extra costs coupled with his inability to work mean that health was not the only battle he
would have to survive.  

His wife Samina, said:

“Doctors of General Hospital Lahore on seeing the condition of Qaisor told me that survival would be impossible. I didn’t believe them and asked churches and friends to pray for him, I knew God would bring him back just like Lazarus, as nothing is impossible for God.  I told visitors to come and meet him and to treat him as if he is sleeping. On the third day Mehwish Bhatti and her team came to visit. She was not allowed to see the patient in ICU due to security reasons however I explained to the ward team that she simply wanted to pray over him. Mehwish was given permission and after a while returned when she came back she told me that Qaisor had been talking with her. I was surprised and overjoyed! I immediately ran to his bedside praising Almighty God for His love and mercy. Since then the BPCA have been supporting our family it has been a real blessing.”

The BPCA started an appeal for Qaisor and his family and we have been supporting them through this difficult time.  We have been covering the
rent, regular grocery needs, school fees for their eldest daughter Sitaish as they could not afford to pay them, and medical costs for Qaisor and his
child who had a bone defect that was causing great distress for the family.  BPCA paid for a series of appointments with an orthopaedic consultant
at United Christian Hospital check for Cornelius who was only 12 months old at the time, doctors informed us it was a serious calcium deficiency
however after a more healthy diet and a series of treatments Cornelius has recovered and is now walking normally, whereas before he could not support
his weight on his legs.  

Samina and Cornelius arriving for one of their consultations with an orthopaedic professional.

We asked Samina about the progress of Sitaish at school and she said:

“Sitaish is enjoying regular attendance at school. She is extremely happy and has been concentrating well in her lessons. Her teachers tell me she is a bright student and I have noticed her teaching her younger brother Cornelius, things she has learnt at school. When we could not afford to send her to school she was very disheartened and asked why her friends were going but she was not.  Now her confidence encourages me.”

 
Sitiash teaching Cornelius.

Qaisor is now recovering very well he has had reconstruction surgery and the scars on his face and body have improved extremely well.  His confidence
and energy has returned and he is seeking new employment and hopes to back into work soon, so that he will be able to support his family directly.
 In the meanwhile the BPCA has taken him through a entrepreneurial training course, our aim is to create businessmen and women within the deprived
Christian community to help them free themselves from the shackles of poverty. Funded by a Christian charity we hope to help the viable businesses
ideas with start-up grants that will enable participants to venture out into the world of trade. Qaisor has quite a good project and we hope he will
be one of the first to benefit.

Qaisor and other bomb victims attending our Entrepreneurial training.

In our recent Christmas outreach program in the city of Lahore, which was intentionally in the town of Youhanabad the place of the bomb attack, Qaisor’s
wife boldly shared the thrilling testimony of God’s work over her family.  Qaisor joined her on the stage and the 100 strong audience erupted
in cheers of applause and many tears were shed.  His story has revived local Christians and during an alter call 22 backsliders gave their lives
back to God.

Qasior and his wife share their testimony.

Mehwish Bhatti said:

“Qaisor’s story is one of great miracle and promise.  Not from the brink of death but from actual death itself Qaisor has been brought back to life and his testimony is now changing the lives of others. He chose to sacrifice himself to save many and came face to face with death but beat it through the power of God, an achievement few will know in this life. He and his family have overcome great obstacles during which they chose to cling to God rather then reject him in anger, their reward has been great and will be even greater still.”

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA, said:

“God has moved over this family and provided them with his spiritual covering this is obvious. When doctors pronounced Qasior dead the family trusted God and he answered their prayers.  Stories like this remind us that God is watching over us, galvanises my own spirit and leads me to worship and praise our almighty saviour for every small mercy.”

If you would like to donate towards helping the victims of the Lahore church bombings, then please use these bank details: 

Payee: BPCA
Sort Code: 20-44-22
Account number: 43163318
Bank: Barclays
Ref: Love for Lahore