Qaiser Felix

Arrests, fines, humiliations, lack of security, and possible attacks are typical for families whose members have been accused of blasphemy against the Qur'an. The case of James Masih and Boota Masih, sentenced to 10 years without any proof.

Asma Jahangir, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, slams the charges, urging the government to prevent abuses in the application of the law. The Ahmadis in question are accused of defacing the walls of a bathroom in a mosque with offensive graffiti. For the Commission an extremist organisation and a relative of a local politician put pressure on police to incriminate the group.

On March 4, voting will be held for the renewal of the country's upper house. Islamabad has repeatedly promised a law to guarantee the rights of non-Muslims. According to the government, the conditions are not right, and the discussion has been pushed back to 2012. Activists are afraid of new episodes of marginalization.

Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, says the country is duty-bound to find organisers and perpetrators of the assassination of the former Pakistani prime minister. UN commission will have three members. Last year the Pakistan People’s Party rejected the conclusions reached by a team of experts sent by Scotland Yard.

Hector Aleem was arrested at night at his home after he was accused of sending a blasphemous text message. Since then he has been allowed to see his family only once. Muslim clerics want the court to hand him over to them so that they can execute him. The blasphemy law under which he was arrested also penalises members of other minorities. Five members of the Ahmadi community were in fact arrested on the same charges; four of them minors.

Yousaf Masih Bhatti is behind a non-profit drug rehabilitation initiative open to Christians and Muslims. At present 20 patients are enrolled in the programme, including four Muslims, but the founder’s dream is to “open a real hospital.” Official figures put the number of addicts in Pakistan at 684,000.

The group, made up of 24 leading elements of civil society, intends to defuse the climate of tension between the two countries and promote the common struggle against terrorism. The delegates express hope for collaboration in the search for the truth about the authors of the attack, and stress the importance of an organization to work for peace in the region.

At the origin of the violence is a dispute over land acquired by a Catholic of the village, and the marriage between a Christian young man and a Muslim young woman. In spite of the charges, the local police have not yet arrested anyone.

Carnage averted because of winter break. The government reiterates its commitment to re-opening schools in March, but the safety of tens of thousands of school girls remains in jeopardy. Another Pakistani fundamentalist group calls on Taliban to reconsider their decision and guarantee instead an education to girls as well.

Islambad describes New Delhi’s dossier on Mumbai attack as information, not concrete evidence. Indian army chief says war is a last resort. Pakistan arrests 124 suspects and closes down five Lashkar-e-Taiba training camps.

The pastor was kidnapped last Friday by unidentified men for unknown reasons. The bishop of Peshawar refers to repeated threats towards local clergymen and a climate of “religious intolerance,” but reiterates his intention not to give in to violence.

Inspired by Benedict XVI’s message for World Day of peace, Mgr Joseph Coutts reiterates that wars are a problem for the whole of humanity, requiring a shared response. The prelate calls for prayers in favour of peace and hopes for a greater involvement of the United Nations, the European Union and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in solving conflicts.