Shafique Khokhar

The Catholic Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism organised an Iftar, the dinner that breaks the Ramadan fast, together with other minorities. For Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, the event is a testament to the values of compassion, empathy, and mutual respect that bind everyone.

In Faisalabad a distribution of basic necessities for 150 families who fled the violence of last August. The intervention coordinated by the Faisalabad diocese with Aid to Church in Need Germany. "We are still in the grip of physical and mental trauma," says Shazia Bibi, one of the victims. The desire to be able to 'celebrate Easter with joy'.

Kidnapped at the age of 13 and forced to marry a Muslim, a Christian girl from a brick kiln family suffered severe abuse. She was segregated when she rebelled over her husband’s second marriage. “I want to see my children. I want justice!” she said. For Joseph Jansen, this is “the true face of the reality” minorities continue to experience in Pakistan.

From Lahore to Faisalabad to the Hindus in Sindh, many took to the streets to demand rights and freedom. In Lahore along the route kites with the names of the innocent victims of the conflict in the Strip. Shazia George, Awam director: increase allocations for education from 2% to 4% of GDP and create a favourable environment to cover gender disparities in education.

AsiaNews publishes a reflection for the Lenten season by a Capuchin friar from Lahore. The situation in the country mirrors "the negative impact" of global conflicts and general tension. Prayer "a glimmer of hope" in the midst of chaos. The renunciation of food a practice that "brings one closer to God". Almsgiving a material representation of mercy.

On Monday, the Pakistani Senate voted on the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2023. For Christians, the legal age of marriage goes from 16 to 18 years of age. The battle to protect young women and girls from the practice of child brides and forced conversion began in November 2022. Now many hope it can be extended to all religions.

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) reported the case of Younas Masih, a Christian from Khurrianwala, who was the victim of unfounded accusations. A Christian couple who converted to Islam over a year ago accused the 68-year-old man. After an investigation, police released the Christian man but he and his family are still afraid.

A mob attacked an Ahmadi place of worship in Kotli district, sending the caretaker to hospital with serious injuries. Previously, they had given the authorities an ultimatum to demolish the Ahmadi mosque. Despite CCTV footage, police have yet to make any arrests. “We want justice,” Ahmadi leader told AsiaNews.

After more than 24 hours, vote counting continues to be slow, and charges of fraud are being made. Candidates linked to the jailed former prime minister are leading in more constituencies than candidates for Nawaz Sharif. A coalition government appears most likely to get the country out of its current crisis. Fr Khalid Rashid Asi, “you can't force voters”. In a tense climate, whoever wins must take “concrete steps to build and maintain peace in the country.”

A day before the vote, the bishop of Hyderabad and chairman of the Bishops' Conference offers his analysis. “Christians should form a national party,” he says, noting that “no party can achieve a majority.” He prays for “economic stability” and urges fellow Pakistanis to “respect differences”. In a country where poverty is increasing, “without women we cannot hope for a better economic future.”

The US State Department gave prestigious award for Jacob’s commitment to religious freedoms and human rights in Pakistan. For Judge Nasira Iqbal, this is “a remarkable achievement for all Pakistanis, as human rights defenders like Peter Jacob work hard to promote social cohesion and equality of rights for all.”

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has ended around the world. Pope Francis together with the Anglican Primate Welby gave a group of bishops the mandate to "witness together to the unity willed by God by spreading mercy and peace". The joint celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh: "If we are not united among ourselves, how can we bring others to Christ?".