Shafique Khokhar

A madrassa in the city of Dera Ismail Khan was the scene of the chilling crime. Three female teachers killed a colleague upon an order delivered by the Prophet in a dream. According to investigators, the victim was targeted out of hatred because she followed an Islamic TV preacher who was viewed with suspicion by the others.

The reservoir will enable the local community to erect its own church and survive during difficult times. Locals, of any religion, will now own and manage their water supplies.

Wahid Bux Lashari, along with two accomplices, tried to kidnap the young woman on Monday morning while she was alone in her home. She resisted and he shot her. Hundreds of attacks against young minority women are reported each year. Human rights groups and PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemn the attack.

More minority girls have been kidnapped for the purpose of forced marriage and conversion to Islam. Two of these kidnappings took place a week apart in the same neighbourhood. “We call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Sindh government to take serious action against the criminals,” pleaded the mother of one of the girls.

The ceremony in Lahore cathedral marked seven years since the young man heroically gave his life in 2015 to stop a suicide bomber from entering a church. He is the first Pakistani lay person to be officially recognised as a “servant of God”.

Although the robbers injured Mr Mushtag Masih in the leg, police took his two sons into custody, releasing them only after bail was paid. Shirjeel Zafar, a lawyer, slams police for their biased action in seeking justice.

“For it is in giving that we receive” was the theme of a meeting organised by the archdiocese for catechism teachers, with a couple as an example of how to serve the marginalised.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. A suicide bomber fired into the crowd, then detonated his explosive vest. Some of the wounded are in serious condition. Unanimous political condemnation, Pakistani Taliban distance themselves. Christians pray for the victims and for those fighting for their lives in hospitals.

On 2 March 2011, the Catholic politician was gunned by armed Taliban because of his fight in favour of minorities and against abuses under the country’s blasphemy legislation. His work is still an example of how rights can be respected in the country. During his visit to Pakistan, the archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the victims of the All Saints Church.

Across the continent, local Churches heed Pope Francis’s call to pray for peace. In the Philippines, the bishops are praying “that the Lord move the consciences of the Russian people”. In South Korea, the Archdiocese of Seoul is sending emergency aid to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ukraine. In Myanmar, people are praying for peace in Kyiv the Diocese of Pyay. In India, Christians of all confessions pray and appeal together for a ceasefire.

“Anthem of Hope" by Anee Muskan tells the stories of the Christians jailed in 2015 after the violence that followed the deadly attacks against two churches by suicide bombers that left 27 dead. After years of suffering, the accused were acquitted only in 2021, but despite their sense of dejection, they bore witness to the Gospel.

An organisation by young people set up with the support of Caritas serves other young people of all religions. “Here I learnt not only English, but also many values," said one student. Archbishop Travas wants to open a university and colleges.