Kamran Chaudhry

Tehreek Rwadari, an interfaith movement that promotes respect for all religions and peace building in the country, celebrated its first anniversary yesterday. At the event, activists stressed the difficulties minorities, women and children face, as well as the lack of security. Extremism, mistrust and intolerance are the root causes.

Caritas Pakistan hands out cheques worth US$ 380 to 19 beneficiaries, including four Muslim families. The Taliban’s Easter Sunday attack killed 78 and wounded 350, mostly Muslims. “I pray to Allah that others follow the example of the Christians,” Muslim doctor says.

On the 18th anniversary of the bishop of Faisalabad’s death, Muslims remember him as a great fighter “against atrocities”, as well as an advocate for human rights and “interfaith harmony”. For Muslim activist, he was “like a beacon” who saw “the beginning of the downfall”. Only by changing the blasphemy laws can the nation unite.

The Catholic Church commemorates the 18th anniversary of his "martyrdom for the faith." The Bishop’s niece declares that her uncle’s act stirred consciences at home and abroad. The law that punishes offenses against the prophet and the Koran with death was passed in 1986. Since then, 1,400 convicted persons.

Last November's earthquake damaged the church, its tower, and cross, which toppled. Until recently, engineers refused to work on the project because of its height. A local city official, a Muslim, helped secure US$ 30,000 in public funding.

Khurram Zaki, 40, edited the news website ‘Let us build Pakistan’. He was shot to death on Saturday. A Taliban group, Hakeemullah, has claimed responsibility for the murder. Zaki had criticised the preacher of Islamabad’s Red Mosque. “One by one, they are killing us,” says an activist. “Now we can count the number of activists in single digits.”

Sadiq Khan was elected mayor with 57 per cent of the vote. His Labour Party defeated the conservative challenger with 1.3 million votes. The new mayor is a Muslim of Pakistani origin. His family immigrated to London in the 1960s. He was able to go to university thanks to a scholarship. In Pakistan, Christians and Muslims say he will bring justice and harmony in one of the most multi-ethnic cities in the world.

Scores demonstrate in front of the Lahore Press Club. Waving green flags and chanting mournful lamentations, they demand justice for four more Shias murdered on Thursday. For Shia party official, some 25,000 Shias have been killed in Taliban-inspired sectarian violence.

Isaac TV is Pakistan’s first Christian satellite broadcaster. Pentecostal-run, it wants to let Catholic leaders “use our platform”. However, for the programme director of a Lahore-based Catholic cable station, it is better to keep a distance.

The Pakistani church has created a series of meetings to educate religious sisters about online mission for the World Communications Day, on May 8th. At the beginning of the month, 23 sisters participated in a conference with themed blogs and websites: "We have a vocation also as citizens of the worldwide web".

The new church is being built in Khalsabad, a village near Gojra. The mud chapel used by eight local Catholic families was destroyed in the last monsoon. Muslim farmers and businesses gave financial support. For a Catholic clergyman, "This is a dialogue of life," even though Pakistan is famous for its violence.

More than a hundred women marched yesterday in front of the Lahore Press Club, holding banners, calling for their wages to be raised to the national minimum. Some 12 million workers are employed in this area, and are denied the same rights that other workers enjoy. Since 2013, a draft bill has been before the Punjab cabinet waiting for approval. See the video of the protest.