On the occasion of the World Day against child labour, the Church condemns the phenomenon and asks the government for a genuine effort to combat it. Ashir, aged 7, doesn't mention the Day: he is too busy working in the auto shop where he was hired one year ago.
In a press statement issued by the National Commission for Justice and Peace, Church leaders call on the government to amend the constitution to fight discrimination and religious intolerance. They also express support for the judges sacked by Musharraf.
The act might be a reaction to the publication of blasphemous cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. A Christian lawmaker condemns the attack. “This does disservice to religion,” he said. “All it does is cast the entire nation in a bad light.”
The government prohibits members of the community, considered a sect of Islam, from celebrating the centenary of the khilafat, the "system of spiritual succession" according to Ahmadiyya teaching. For the community's spokesman, this is just the latest violation of human rights taking place in Pakistan.
Under new package of proposed constitutional reforms, minorities will have their own seats in the upper house of parliament. Chairman of Pakistan bishops is happy with the decision, expects strong opposition but is hopeful for the future.
The occasion of the initiative is the Jubilee of the first translation of the sacred text into Urdu. The bishops call upon parishes to create biblical courses and seminars, and ask priests to pay "special attention" to their homilies.
Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic member of Pakistan’s National Assembly and chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, calls on the government to change the infamous blasphemy law and free Christians jailed on blasphemy charges without evidence. The case of Dr Sardar is particularly serious; he could be hanged because someone wanted to settle a personal score.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace inaugurates a peace education programme that brings together Christians and Muslims to give dialogue a chance after years of violence clashes.
The department of Auqaf has given management of the place of worship to a private entity, which has transformed the buildings of the temple into shops, and the courtyard of purification into a garage. For the Hindu Council, it is "an unparalleled offence".
The sister of Jagdeesh Kumar, a 22-year-old Hindu man killed by his co-workers who accused him of blasphemy, wants a real investigation by the government which arrested the murderers without charging them with murder. Marginalised, the family wants justice. The Church makes an appeal.
According to the National Commission for Justice and Peace this is a good first step that must be followed up with a real policy in favour of human rights, one that fights discrimination and upholds the constitution.
The government of the North-West Frontier releases Maulana Sufi Muhammad, condemned to 10 years in prison for terrorism, and allows his organisation to introduce Islamic law into the north of the country "by peaceful means". Analysts fear a new campaign of Talibanisation.
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