Shafique Khokhar

After the recent violence in Delhi, Card. Joseph Coutts and Fr. Saleh Diego ask the Indian government to protect all citizens. A Hindu is in danger of dying after saving his Muslim neighbors. Pakistani conservatives appreciate the Church's initiative. Hope for a better coexistence also in Pakistan.

The young man was killed by Muslim fanatics for “soiling” the water of a tube-well pool. Released from custody, the suspects are threatening to treat other Christians in the village the same way. The victim was tortured with electric cables and a heated rod. Family and friends accuse the police of covering up for the culprits.

The kidnapper belongs to a powerful family, the Nizamani, suspected of drug trafficking with police protection. Most authorities refused to register the complaint by the young woman’s mother. The victim found the courage to speak out, describing how she was treated like a commodity, an object to satisfy someone’s sexual desire, and a servant at home.

The building became public property 72 years ago, during the partition of India and Pakistan. For the local Church, the authorities’ decision “is a very positive gesture”. “It is a great example of religious harmony, and shows a positive picture of Pakistan to its minorities,” Catholic activist says.

On 15 March 2015 two Taliban suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance of two churches in the Christian colony of Lahore. The defendants were accused of murder in connection with the lynching of two Muslims mistaken for terrorists.

Many Pakistanis, both Christians and Muslims, back the appeal by the family of the 14-year-old girl. The latter was forcibly converted and married to her captor. In Pakistan, only Sindh province has banned underage marriages. A Catholic activist urges Muslim clerical authorities to protect minorities.

Muslim extremists have accused Shahbaz Masih and Muhammad Ishaq of burning pages of the Qurʼān over a “grudge” against the Christian. their respective families have had to flee out of fear and are hiding at a secret location.

Crowd fomented by the family of a young Muslim arrested for kidnapping and converting a Sikh girl. The attacked city is the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism. The religious minority remained hostage to extremists for hours.

The cardinal follows Pope Francis's message for the 53rd World Peace Day. The archbishop of Karachi cites two events, namely the signing of the Document on human fraternity in Abu Dhabi, and the meeting between Pope Francis and the leaders of South Sudan, during which the pontiff kissed their feet.

A Christian couple donates food parcels to 150 poor families. Rojar Randhawa and his wife have been carrying out this charitable activity for three years. To "bring Christ back to the center of Christmas celebrations, we must feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, love the marginalized, forgive sinners and give hope to those who do not have any."

The restoration works started in April 2018. The armed forces have financed the reconstruction of the place of worship and the adjacent school, where 350 mostly Muslim children study. "Joy and enthusiasm" on the face of Catholics, about 100 families.

Human rights defenders demand justice for 14-year-old Huma, who was taken from her home while her parents were at work. Between 2013 and 2019 at least 160 girls of religious minorities were kidnapped and forced to embrace Islam. Criminals "exploit religion to cover up crimes".