Shafique Khokhar

Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad inaugurated the village and Christmas tree at La Salle High School and College. Waiting for Christmas is a time to commit to peace. For the prelate, “we need the Messiah again in our lives.” In Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar Church hosted an interfaith singing event last Sunday, with distinguished civic and religious guests.

In Pakistan, police attack the mosques of the persecuted Islamic minority, who are not allowed to worship in public since 1984. Kakhanwali and Faisalabad are the scene of the latest raids, even though structures built before 1984 are protected. Ahmadi spokesman Aamir Mahmood slams the government for using the law against his community.

The official death toll speaks of more than 40 dead, but according to other information disseminated online, the number of victims is more than 100. The convoy that was targeted was travelling along a recently reopened road with an escort of agents. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been unstable for some time and residents accuse the government of failing to guarantee the safety of residents.

Celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the archdiocese ended with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by the apostolic nuncio. Archbishop Travas highlighted three challenges: following Jesus, the Synodal journey, and serving the poor and the vulnerable. He also called for greater responsibility for the laity (especially women) in the life of the Church.

Last week, the new Bishop's House was inaugurated and blessed in the presence of Card Joseph Coutts and Archbishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio to Pakistan, as well as other bishops of Pakistan. The venue will serve as a point of reference for the Church’s pastoral and social activities led by Archbishop Arshad.

Minahil, only six years old, was raped in the Asan School System by Muhammad Hassan, an employee of the institute. The man was arrested after the family's complaint, tests on the girl confirmed the abuse and DNA results are awaited. Christian and Muslim leaders have visited the victim and expressed their closeness to the parents.

In Multan, Roshani Shakeel was the victim of a forced marriage last March. The human rights violation was possible because of the complicity of local authorities and the imam who facilitated the conversion. “They are torturing our family,” the girl’s mother told AsiaNews. For activist Joseph Jansen, “This systemic failure must be addressed”.

Initiated by Archbishop Joseph Arshad, the diocesan tournament is now in its fifth year, involving 14 teams from the various parishes. A sign of the attention paid to young people in the conviction that sport can also help minorities emerge from the margins of Pakistani society.

Accused of throwing away waste paper with sacred inscriptions, a fact they denied. The lawyer speaks of bad intentions towards the women, one of whom is also a widow. Activist Joseph Jansen: ‘This abuse of the laws must stop before more innocent lives are lost’.

At least 21 victims - mostly Pashtuns - in a terrorist assault on the homes of workers in one of the economic activities seen as a symbol of Islamabad's control over local resources. Local activists to AsiaNews: ‘People are angry, we need real initiatives for dialogue with the Baluchis. But terrorism only aggravates the problems’.

Launched by the Hope for Light association, it is a dream that began in the 1990s but never realised. It is seen as a point of reference but also an open space for the contributions of young readers. “I humbly appeal to all the Sunday Schools of all denominations to ensure all children have access to Baily,” said the Anglican bishop of Peshawar, the Rt Rev Humphrey Peters.

The incident took place at the Civil Hospital in Sahiwal, Punjab. According to a complaint by Yousaf Masih Gill, the parent was refused urgent surgery by the doctors on confessional grounds. A health worker said: ‘If I had known earlier that you are a Christian, I would not have touched your father’. The family's protest and the health management's apology.