70-year-old Swedish Christian missionary shot at, in critical condition

Sister Birgitta Almby, a 70-year-old Swedish Christian missionary, who has been serving the local Christian community for over 38 years, was shot and seriously injured in a gun attack on Monday.
According to details, Sister Birgitta, who is a resident of Model Town and works as the director for Full Gospel Assemblies, left her office in Kot Lakhpat at 2pm for her house when two unidentified men fired shots at her. She was hit in the chest from where the bullet damaged her lungs and jugular vein. Passersby and police rushed her to Jinnah Hospital in a serious condition.
Dr Ali Usman of Jinnah Hospital told Pakistan Today that the bullet had damaged Birgitta’s lungs. “We have kept her in Intensive Care Unit where her situation is precarious because of excessive bleeding,” he said.
FGA Principal Liaqat Qaiser told Pakistan Today that Sister Birgitta was serving in Pakistan since long. “She never expressed any threats to her life and moved in the city quite comfortably. Pakistan is her home for so many years and everyone who is acquainted with her will vouch for her dedication and commitment to serve the poor and downtrodden Christians,” he said, adding that the entire Christian community was praying for her life and early recovery.
“She was managing three orphanages besides teaching at the FGA Bible School. It’s quite clear that the extremist mindset currently fomenting hatred and unrest in the country is behind this attack. Who else would have any reason to target a harmless elderly foreign lady?”
Talking to Pakistan Today, Model Town SP Malik Awais said the police was investigating the incident from all angles and nothing concrete could be said at this point of time. “We have taken one of her servants, a cook, into custody for interrogation as he was present inside the house at the time of the attack,” he said.
Full Gospel Assemblies, which describes itself as a ‘church fellowship’ was founded in the United States with congregations worldwide. The organisation runs charities in Pakistan including a technical training institute, adult literacy centre and orphanages.