Shafique Khokhar

Six months after the calamity that sowed death and destruction in large parts of Pakistan, the families helped by AsiaNews were forced to leave Allah Bachao Shoro under threat from some Muslims. They still live under tents, exposed to insect bites and diseases. “These cruel floods have ruined our lives,” said one displaced person who prays to God to “send someone to support us.”

Her name is Aneeta and she is 24 years old. She was found after eight hours and this was made possible thanks to the intervention of the local parish priest. However, the girl's family was transferred to another village to avoid further retaliation.

The Christian minister, who was killed in 2011 for his opposition to Islamic extremism and minority rights violations, was commemorated across the country. People miss “his leadership”. Human rights associations bemoan the failure to repeal the blasphemy laws while “the number of falsely accused has increased.”

Anwar Kenneth was sentenced to death in Lahore in 2002 for defending Christianity against Islam in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks. After five court-appointed lawyers refused to defend him, one agreed to take up his case at the next hearing. For human rights advocates, defending one’s faith cannot be considered blasphemy.

In the country shaken for months by political and economic tensions, the polls are set for 9 April in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Pakistani Church: "A denial of the right to vote. The date should be changed as soon as possible."

Yesterday, a group of young people attended the mass presided over by Archbishop Travas. In his homily he called for "penance and acts of sacrifice" such as fasting to draw closer to Christ. But new elements of tension emerge in political world: in protest, some allies of former premier Imran Khan purposely handed themselves over to the police to be arrested.

In Pakistan Islamic radicals ban Valentine’s Day, holding instead a “Day of Modesty”. In Sahiwal, the local parish’s organises a gathering for people of any religion, including couples, centred on a counter message of loving one another and not pitting religions against each other.

Muhammad Waris was taken out of the Warburton police station, stripped naked and beaten to death. According to investigating officers, the mob of fanatics numbered at least 800 people. Human rights defenders are calling for serious government action against lynchings.

Promoted by the Human Development Society, Fr Bonnie Mendes and Fr Simon Khursheed say the goal is to expand it with another 80 dwellings by the end of the year. Bonnie Town is also to house a parish, a school and a medical dispensary. The beneficiaries: 'Living here for free is no less than a miracle'.

Hoorab Masih went missing in late December. She was found a few days later in a women's shelter, but then went missing again, despite the efforts of the local police chief. Her widowed father works as a day labourer and has to take care of four young children alone.

In Lahore, civil society groups hold a rally urging the Pakistani government not to talk to the Pakistani Taliban, responsible for the latest attack. Meanwhile, the death toll tops one hundred. Provincial police chief admits security lapses.

The latest episode on 18 January in Karachi, with an assault on a centre and damage to the minaret. In December, the security forces had struck another community in Gujranwala. Radical groups call for the enforcement of blasphemy laws against the minority. Christian and Ahmadi activists claim the right to religious freedom and respect for treaties.