Shafique Khokhar

Food, tents, and mosquito nets arrived in Allah Bachao Shoro, a village of 150 families who lost everything. So far, “no one has helped us, but the Almighty God sent you here to support us,” said catechist Abdul Majeed. Now, “we want to rebuild our homes.” Even though flood waters have receded, some 5.2 million people are still completely destitute. For its part, AsiaNews continues its fundraising campaign.

15-year-old Saba was abducted, raped and forced to marry. After a few days, she managed to escape and, together with her family, started a tough and arduous battle in search of justice. Often the perpetrators, Muslims, benefit from the climate of impunity. For activists Saba is "an example of the attempt to resist in the face of injustice".

Ordinary people are providing tents and food, but resources are in short supply. Every day six or seven people die, driving people left with nothing to steal. Children too are helping out, says teacher Saiqa Rehmat. Meanwhile, AsiaNews continues its campaign in favour of displaced people.

The victim is 62-year-old Boota Masih, forced to work on a cattle farm to repay his son's debts. The murderer is the owner of the farm, a Muslim who is also a police officer. He used his role as an officer to cover up the investigation. The corpse showed clear signs of abuse and violence.

Anwar Masih, 57, has been in prison for more than two years after he was accused by the police of defaming Muhammad following a family dispute. His family lives in hiding after receiving death threats. Activists and human rights lawyers are calling for fair judicial treatment in blasphemy cases.

The emergency caused by the exceptional rains shows no sign of abating. According to official data, 1.7 million houses have been damaged and over 33 million people have been affected. The AsiaNews fundraising campaign for a village home to a small Christian community.

Survivors in Sindh province speak about the devastating impact of monsoon rains not seen for decades, and the season is not over yet. Meanwhile, some 30 million Pakistanis have been forced to leave their homes. For Fr Yousaf, “just staying alive is a real miracle.” People urgently need help. Our agency is raising funds to help a village not far from Hyderabad home to 150 families.

Tragic tales emerge from “God Save Us”, a village in Sindh province home to 45 Christian families. Local homes and livestock have been swept away even though it is located a kilometre from the Sindh River. In total, 70 per cent of Pakistan has been affected and more rain is on its way. Like in Noah’s times, “I pray to God to show us a rainbow,” said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi who is asking for help: “[W]ithout your support these poor people cannot survive.” Through an active campaign for Pakistan, AsiaNews wants to raise funds for flood victims.

According to a local newspaper, the federal government has asked the Punjab authorities to take action against the Centre for Social Justice, 'guilty' of denouncing abuses of the blasphemy law and forced conversions. In January, the Human Rights Council will have to pronounce on the situation in the country. The solidarity of Pakistan's civil society: "The government should respond to the issues raised instead of denying them".

Ashok Kumar accused of desecrating the Koran to mask personal issues with the person who denounced him. When word spread, a mob tried to kill the man, who was picked up by the police and then arrested. New call by activists against norm-related abuses.

Zarvia Pervaiz, 13, was taken from her family in late April. Under duress, she was forced to claim that she had converted and moved in with a Muslim man consensually, but the Pakistani justice system ignored all laws against child marriage.

On August 11, Voice for Justice organized demonstrations to demand that the rights of Christians and Hindus be respected. Several religious leaders expressed closeness and solidarity.