Jibran Khan

The attack took place this morning in Islamabad. An armed commando gunned down the Catholic minister in his car. Rushed to hospital he did not survive his wounds. Murder claimed by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Sadaat Masih was a nurse at a private hospital in the capital. Her body was found in the student hostel where she lived. Hospital administrators try to sweep the affair under the rug. Police refuses to open an investigation. Her family complains of an atmosphere of forced silence. A source in the medical facility points to the ambiguous role played by a Muslim male nurse.

The court decided to drop the proceedings against the member of parliament from the PPP. The chase brought by a businessman from Multan, who judged opinions expressed by the woman on a talk show blasphemous. The police investigations have found that there were no violations of the law.

The US national, in prison for killing two Pakistanis, allegedly insulted the prison’s religious leader and other inmates who were praying. Pakistan’s extremist camp wants the American sentenced to death. It has announced demonstrations in case of his release. Fundamentalists want to see Asia Bibi as well as the US national, who claims diplomatic immunity, hanged.

Government reshuffle took place yesterday. Bhatti has struggled in recent years to amend the blasphemy law and has recently requested a pardon for Asia Bibi.

Incidents against the faithful, especially in central Punjab, increasing at an alarming rate. The police and the judiciary "cover" crimes and abuses for fear of the local Muslim lords. A young man killed by his employers, and the police would not accept the father’s report.

At risk – because of public debt - the Ministry for minority groups, headed by a Catholic. Bhatti recalls the contribution of Christians to the birth of the nation. And he warns: we will work to remove discriminatory and inhuman laws, such as blasphemy.

Muhammad Zeeshan blew himself up as soldiers took part in morning exercises. The boy was a student at a local madrassa, a Qur‘anic school. Such facilities are increasingly becoming centres of fundamentalist propaganda. Islamabad bishop urges Pakistani Christians to close ranks with the soldiers who are fighting extremists.

A group of armed men kill a merchant during a botched kidnapping attempt. An 85-year-old Hindu religious leader has been missing for more than month. In the Pakistani province, more than 100 groups are involved in kidnappings. Last year, 86 kidnappings took place.

Fundamentalists are putting more pressure to get the release of the assassin of Salman Taseer, the Punjab Governor who strongly opposed the blasphemy law. The transfer of a Christian woman whose life is in danger has been postponed. Catholic leaders warn that Pakistan is embracing Islamism against the principle of Ali Jinnah.

Benedict XVI is slammed for joining western propaganda against the Islamic state. Demonstrators pledge to sacrifice their lives for Muhammad. The new governor of Punjab is told to express solidarity with Salman Taseer’s murderer. Two attacks in the north-west leave 5 dead and 19 wounded.

The women's wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) marched through the streets, shouting slogans against those who want to change the "black law". The fundamentalist leaders call for the expulsion of Vatican representatives for "meddling" of Benedict XVI. On January 30, Christians pray for in Asia Bibi and peace in the country.