Shafique Khokhar

The legislation proposed by an Islamic group and unanimously approved. Christian and Muslim activists emphasize the positive aspects. Penalties for offenders and for those celebrating forced marriages. The process to bring proceedings within 90 days of report; minors who convert before age 18 will not be judged.

In 2014, Shahzad and Shama Masih were lynched and thrown into a kiln. Their three children are now looked after by a Catholic association. The five convicted Muslim men must also pay a fine. "The verdict goes in the right direction to ensure the rule of law."

Presented in Geneva, the award was shared by the NCJP and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. For 30 years, the Catholic association has promoted the protection of human rights, especially those of religious minorities. Its aims include child education, and textbooks without insults and intolerant comments.

School textbooks are full of biases and discriminatory views about the country’s minorities. However, in Sindh and Punjab, chapters on the role of women and a well-known philanthropist have been included. A research by the National Commission for Justice and Peace reveals the situation.

Approval and thanks for first report on minorities in the South Asian nations. The report covers all social, economic, legal and political discrimination of minorities and establishes baselines for systems of minority law. The report will be expanded and updated on an annual basis.

Profound joy at the canonization on September 4 in the Vatican. Msgr. Arshad: "The Mother showed that serving others before ourselves defeats the evil of today." Priest and activist recalls the message of the Saint: love, a "language that everyone understands."

This morning the northern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was the scene of two terrorist attacks. The first, on a Christian colony; the second, on a court. The quick response of the security forces prevented a more serious toll in the neighborhood inhabited by Christians.

On 19 August, a group of Muslims stormed Faisalabad’s Christian Quarter of Khusal Town for trivial reasons, and beat up residents, landing four in hospital. After two weeks of meetings and negotiations, the two communities reconciled. For human rights activist, this “is the first time something like this happens in the city."

AsiaNews heard the history of Victoria’s family, forced to abandon their hometowns because they are Christian. They moved to Lahore, but here too, Christians endure attitudes of intolerance and hatred against minorities, a far cry from what is said in political proclamations.

Today is 69th anniversary of the historic speech by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of modern Pakistan, before the constituent assembly of the newly-established state. The Day honours the contribution of minorities to nation-building. Christian, Hindu and Sikh leaders want justice. Priorities are work, education and an end to forced conversions.

After the massacre in Quetta, the Justice and Peace Commission recalls that the province of Balochistan has suffered more than 1,400 episodes of violence in the last 15 years: "The situation is unacceptable, and we will be at the side of the population". Civil movements demand Islamabad account for security.disaster. The hospital attack, claimed by ISIS and the Pakistani Taliban, killed over 70 people: more than 200 wounded.

The youth who travelled to Poland had trouble getting visas. But in the coming days they will return to Pakistan and can be an example for all Catholics. The priest invites the Church leaders to prepare ahead of the next World Youth Day.