Qaiser Felix

The spread of chaos is avoided. Lawyers and opposition members celebrate. All those arrested over recent days are freed. Nawaz Sharif: Now we will implement real democracy.

Laywers’ “long march” to Islamabad against President Zardari continues. They say about a thousand people have been arrested. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan compares government action to Musharraf’s military rule.

Only President Zardari’s signature is needed to implement the law. Two Shariatic courts will administer justice in Malakand district and Taliban militias will run the region. Women will be the first to suffer and some 400 girls’ schools could be closed.

The memory of the poet Rehman Baba, a symbol of "peace and tolerance" for the entire country, has been profaned. Islamic extremists unleashed the violence because women were permitted free entry to the shrine. Today, the local population held a protest demonstration.

The institute founded by Bible scholar Emmanuel Asi is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Formation courses open to all; working groups in 16 cities in the country; more than 170 publications created so far. An initiative also appreciated by Protestants and Muslims.

The death toll, so far, eight people dead and six others injured. The victims are security officers and passers-by. Lahore police report that the terrorist’s were armed and trained for the attack. The Punjab governor links the attack to the Mumbai massacre “for the arms used and the way it was carried out”. A Christian activist describes it as “enormously damaging” for the nation.

Each year, the local Catechetical Centre organizes meditations and gatherings with prayer and singing, to help the faithful to live Lent. An activity joined by more and more faithful.

The end of conflict could mark new persecutions of religious minorities and women. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expresses "serious concern" and emphasizes that the agreement will have repercussions in the whole country.

Some lawmakers protest Supreme Court ruling barring Nawaz and Shabaz Sharif from elected office. Former prime minister says decision was an “edict” by President Zardari, who rejects the accusations however. Thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of the country. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan calls for “political reconciliation.”

Each year Christians and Muslims participate in a football tournament held in the Punjab village. A Catholic priest stresses the importance of sport “in promoting peace” and “keeping kids away from drugs.” Saint John Bosco is the inspiration for the initiative.

In one of the oldest Catholic villages of Pakistan a congress is held to discuss the Holy Scriptures and the Church’s mission. It is part of the Year of the Bible launched by Pakistani bishops. It can “rekindle people’s passion for the word of God [. . .] so that they can pass on to others what they have received,” says the secretary of the Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan.

Peter Jacob, secretary of the bishops' conference commission, criticizes the agreement between the government and the Taliban. It provides for peace in exchange for the introduction of Islamic law in the Swat valley. The human rights activist does not foresee a Taliban regime like the previous one in Afghanistan, but fears violations of the rights of women and religious minorities.