“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.
The Muslim Rana Ahmad Raza wanted to build a road through a 100 year old cemetery. A group of believers discovered the bulldozers and organised a protest. The police restored order and allowed the burial of a body.
Leaders from different religious background joined Caritas in its “One Million More Tree Plantation Campaign” to boost creation through reforestation. The earth’s is the “common home” of every believer. Some spoke out against the abuses perpetrated under the country’s blasphemy legislation.
Pervez Masih, 25, was attacked after a row in his video game store. The victim’s uncle tried to intervene to save him. For the United Christian Council, “In Pakistan the police are powerless and insecure.”
A crowd of fanatics tied Muhammad Mushtaq to a tree and killed him. According to the custodian of the local mosque, he had burned pages of the Koran. The police were unable to intervene. Local residents said that Ahmed was mentally unstable.
According to a student, Notan Lal insulted the Prophet Muhammad in 2019. For Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Pakistan’s blasphemy “laws are poorly defined and require low standards for evidence”.
The Muslim extremists who attacked the graves over inscribed Qurʼānic verses also threatened to destroy Ahmadi homes. This followed blasphemy complaints against the Ahmadiyya. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, such incidents are becoming “almost routine”.
Rifat Rani had asked her neighbour for help because she could not make ends meet. The neighbour tried to take advantage of this by harassing the whole family to get more money. The first hearing was held in recent days thanks to the intervention of Human Rights Focus Pakistan.
The pastor was dead yesterday as he returned home after Sunday liturgy in the province closest to the border with Afghanistan. Minorities say after the ceasefire with the Taliban, the government does nothing to protect them. Archbishop Travas of Karachi: "Immediate and serious measures must be taken against those who undermine peace and harmony".
Four vandals tied up the guardian and desecrated the building. The police assure full cooperation. Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi: "The perpetrators wanted to generate panic, but we must remain calm and continue to pray".
The distribution was made possible thanks to the support of the Saving Lives Welfare Organization. Now 11 people with different handicaps will at least be able to leave their homes. For the father of one of the lucky beneficiaries, only Caritas takes care of them.
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