Shafique Khokhar

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”.

The man was holidaying in the Swat Valley. Police arrested him on charges of burning pages of the Qur'ān, but a mob stormed the station and killed him. Activist accuses Pakistan of being "a barbarian state" while the authorities remain silent. For Naveed Walter, “No one is safe now.” In another case, the wife of Nazir Masih, another lynch mob victim, died from the traumatic experience. In Sialkot, a Christian man is on the run.

Police is backing extremist groups attacking the Ahmadiyya community. Several arrests were made before Eid even though Pakistani law guarantees Ahmadis religious freedom in their own homes. For Ahmadi spokesman Amir Mahmood, the community’s fundamental human rights are being violated.

The forced marriage of a Christian girl in Faisalabad is part of a tide of violence by Islamist groups against minorities in Punjab. After the murder of Nazir Masih, 72, falsely accused of blasphemy, the extremist TLP party wants the release of his attackers, who, it claims, acted out of "love for their faith". Advocacy groups lament that members of minorities now live in fear.

The mob that attacked the victim on 25 May also set his home and business on fire. The rest of the family miraculously escaped. Doubts are being raised over the timing of his death, with some believing the government delayed the announcement to avoid international censure. Activists accuse the authorities of knowingly covering for the groups who use the law to kill indiscriminately.

The victim, 72-year-old Nazir Masih, was beaten by an angry mob. His business and home were set on fire, as police failed to intervene. His family is on the run, while he lays in hospital in critical condition. Nine months after violence in Jaranwala, the Christian community in Punjab province continues to be the victim of the same hostility.

International Nurses' Day offered an opportunity to acknowledge this valuable service. The event also highlighted the violence they often endure because of their gender and beliefs. Sister Alvina, a Franciscan in charge of the parish's medical dispensary for 30 years, laments that nurses are “often discriminated” and “discouraged by their superiors in hospitals.”

On a day when even among local politicians rhetoric about labour abounds, in Pakistan and Sri Lanka the most defenceless groups have tried to make their voices heard. Fr Bonnie Mendes: "Even the Church should value the feast of St Joseph the Worker more to defend their dignity".

The Heal Foundation Pakistan provided medical care to 175 patients yesterday at a local Catholic church. Five people were diagnosed with TB and will be followed until they are completely treated. For the local parish priest, Fr Tahir Rauf, it is “serving the people like the apostles”. Looking to the future, he promises, to “conduct a second phase soon.”

Saim had left home to get a haircut when a security guard, who had noticed a cross necklace on the boy, started to ask him to recite Islamic prayers. The young man, after refusing, was forced to ingest a harmful substance.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat chose Fr Abid Tanvir, former diocese vicar general, as parish priest. Two catechists were also appointed to work with him. Admired and visited by Muslims, the church named after Saint Anthony was inaugurated last year. The bishop urged the faithful “to make this beautiful church stronger in spirituality.”