Pakistan (MNN) — A woman stood outside the Chinese cultural center in Karachi, Pakistan on April 26. She held a bag and fidgeted while a white minibus approached. As the bus turned towards the entrance, the scene erupted into a fireball.

The bomb killed the woman, Shari Baloch, as well as four passengers, three of which were Chinese citizens. She is the first female suicide bomber for the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

The BLA said the attack was meant to target a “symbol of Chinese economic, political, and cultural expansionism.” The group warned China to halt “exploitation projects” in Pakistan.

Shari Baloch

Nehemiah with FMI says, “Shari was married to a doctor and had two young children. She was a teacher by profession and had a master’s of philosophy. She wanted to study and pursue her career in zoology.  She migrated from Balochistan to Karachi just a few months ago.”

Why would an educated, successful woman do this?

The people of Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, live in poverty. Many want to become an independent country, saying the Pakistani government, and China, exploit their land. Nehemiah says, “There are many, many places where there’s no electricity, no basic needs of life. People are feeling that no one cares about them.”

“Even people who are getting higher education, they think that people from other provinces are taking all the resources and stealing the jobs.”

Shari hoped her actions would draw attention to this situation. Take the opportunity to ask God to move in Balochistan for peace and wholeness.

Nehemiah says FMI partners are in Balochistan sharing Jesus’ love. But the violence makes it difficult to travel there from other regions in Pakistan. “It’s almost a no-go zone.”

The header photo shows the minibus after the explosion. (Photo courtesy of FMI)