Shafique Khokhar

It is necessary to ensure effective political participation and representation of religious minorities. An appeal is issued on National Minorities Day. Tehreek Rwadari makes some proposals.

A 16-year-old girl is raped to wash away her brother’s sin of raping a 12-year-old girl. Multan police arrest 20 people involved. The violence is the fruit of a feudal mindset. Locals do not trust government institutions and turn to illegal village councils.

The Taliban attacker between 16 and 18 years old. Extremist groups use "our youth to bring destruction". Educator: "It's not enough to kill some suspects. Terrorism is a wrong ideology that creeps into the depths of our society. "

Javed Masih was 32 years old. With his job, he was repaying a debt that his family had contracted three years ago. Contracted, he was supposed to work 24 a month. In reality he was a slave. Accused of theft, he was tortured for days. The employer's family threatens serious consequences while police refuse to open an investigation.

The bishop of Faisalabad celebrates Corpus Christi. 2018 will be the Year of the Eucharist in Pakistan. "Let's become one with Jesus when we receive Communion." The Eucharist is "the expression of our call to share the divine life as individuals and as community into the full purpose of our being – living forever within the divine majesty."

Multan's emeritus bishop chaired the National Justice and Peace Commission from 2011 to 2015. In the 45 years of priesthood he worked "tirelessly for the poor and the marginalized communities". Respected for promoting inter-religious harmony involving Islamic leaders.

The caravan, set to travel to various cities across Pakistan, is the initiative of the Rwadari Tehreek Movement and activists of various religious confessions. Its goal is to achieve peace by promoting respect for diversity. Four police officers are killed in attack against officials.

Shrine custodian drugged and tortured the victims before killing them. Rivalry over the shrine’s custody is the probable trigger. For activists, the problem is ignorance and lack of freedom, which lead to superstitions.

Syed Anees Shah acknowledged that he promised freedom in exchange for conversion to 42 Christian prisoners jailed in 2015 after a Taliban attack on two churches. Government and courts should take action against such “abhorrent behaviour".

The bishop of Faisalabad issues a message on our preparation for Easter. He addresses young people who are hardest pressed in finding jobs, facing the economic crisis, and integrating into society. He calls on people to follow Christ’s example: his death and resurrection gave meaning to "our daily crosses".

In Pakistan, Christian marriage is governed by rules dating back to British-era legislation. Divorce is permissible only in the case of the wife’s adultery. This has led many Christian men to convert to Islam to end their marriage.

The two are accused of theft and robbery by the girl’s employers, a Muslim family that employed her as a maid. She earned US$ 40 a month for 18 hours of work a day. For Shahid Anwar, diocesan coordinator for Justice and Peace, false charges are levelled at minority people who stand up to slavery.