Shafique Khokhar

Three cases shake the conscience of the country and revive the issue of abuses linked to blasphemy rules. In Sindh, police kill a doctor investigated for blasphemous posts; a suspect is killed by an agent in Quetta, and his relatives forgive the murderer; a Christian woman is sentenced to death for messages on WhatsApp.

The death of Abdul Ali once again highlights the growth of extremism even in government institutions. The owner of a small hotel was killed amid pressure from Islamists. For Yousaf Benjamin, executive director of Dignity First-Pakistan, “This incident raises questions [. . .] about police officers.”

The local Church celebrated the 75th anniversary of the first pilgrimage to the Marian place of worship and the inauguration of the grotto of the Virgin. At least six worshippers died in road accidents, while police foiled an attack by a group of Islamic extremists. Some observers call for greater road safety and better facilities for pilgrims, including sanitary facilities.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat inaugurated work on St. Andrew's Middle School in Dawood Colony: a project aimed at providing education for young people from poor families in the area. The benefactor Tanvir Gulzar supported the project financially, dedicating it to the bishop. During the ceremony, parish priest Fr Khalid Rashid Asi emphasised the importance of education: ‘Another lamp lit for the community’.

Appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sr Maryam Parween has been defending women's rights for many years. Under her leadership, the Catholic's Women Organisation in Pakistan has raised awareness on issues such as gender-based violence, forced conversions, and child marriage. For activist Kashif Aslam, she is an “invaluable asset to both the Catholic Church and the community.”

The victims identified and killed on ethnic grounds in the clash with the government in Islamabad. Prime Minister Sharif promises a resolute response to terrorism. Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi: ‘Indiscriminate targeting of innocent people’. Journalist Arif Khattak: action that ‘has nothing to do with the rights of the Baluch people’.

During the commemoration, Christians paraded wearing black clothes and praying against extremism. Local pastor Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi urged government intervention. The Christian community did not participate in Independence Day celebrations, which are celebrated on Aug. 15, but planted new trees in parishes.

After Jaranwala, the violence against Christians in Pakistan does not cease. The report ‘Persecution Watch’ released by the NGO Dignity First lists the cases of 140 families affected in the first half of 2024. Attacks are not only physical, but also economic, while convictions and arrests for alleged blasphemy continue.

The Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Ccide) has promoted a ‘Sabeel’ for the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community. Events included a ‘walk’ in the cathedral area and the distribution of cold drinks to break the fast. The annual interfaith caravan of the Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan reached Karabla Gamay Shah.

The Christian community celebrates the 'historic' appointment of the soldier as a division general. An occasion of celebration for a prestigious role also shared by ecclesiastical personalities and Muslim intellectuals. Vicar of Faisalabad: the State "has begun to reward the Christian community for its services to the progress of the country".

The country's Churches have been pushing for this measure to counter the problem of early marriages, often linked to abductions. “We hope the government will take further steps to criminalise forced religious conversions," the Bishops' Conference said.

A Punjab court issued a surreal verdict in connection with the brutal attack against a Christian neighbourhood in August 2023, handing down a death sentence against Ahsan Masih, a young man who, like thousands others, shared a post on a social media that was construed as “instigating” violence. By contrast, 135 people arrested for involvement in the incident have walked free. For Fr Khalid Rashid Asi, the sentence was issued under extremist pressure, but eventually “truth will win”.