Shafique Khokhar

In August, the 19-year old Maria Bibi was abducted and forced to marry Mohammad Zohaib, a neighbor and classmate. Now the matter is in the hands of a court. Meanwhile, the Church of Pakistan celebrates a day of fasting and prayer for Asia Bibi. Muslim leader: no innocent person should be made a victim "in the name of religion."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide calls on Pakistan's highest court to guarantee her safety as well as a speedy trial to secure her release. Her conviction is evidence of the poor status of the country's justice system, plagued by bias and corruption in blasphemy cases. Michelle Chaudhry is hopeful and optimistic about an acquittal.

On World Peace Day, a seminar on inter-religious unity and harmony among different faiths saw about a hundred Christian and Muslim leader meet. Muslim leaders says we should follow the "teachings of Jesus" and "turn the other cheek". Governments have an important role to play in protecting minorities and fighting violence.

Foundation president Michelle Chaudhry, daughter of war hero Catholic Cecil, denounces another case of "abuse" committed in the name of the blasphemy law. For her, "too much blood has been already spilled" and "too many innocent lives have been lost." As police, judiciary and government institutions ignore the attack, perpetrators remain at large.

About a hundred students took part in a symposium dedicated to social change, peace and harmony. Starting from the problem of traffic, the goal is to enhance social responsibility and promote greater education. From the new generations comes hope for change.

Today is World Day Against Child Labour. Activists make an appeal to the government to ensure the right of studying and actions to protect children and minors. Harmful effects of child labour on children, the economy and nation. Obligation of the state to ensure the right to free and compulsory education for all children.

In its recent recruitment drive, police fails to meet the 5 per cent quota for non-Muslims as required by the law and the constitution. Out of 730 positions, only four go to minorities. Weeks of protest have led to an increase to 11, still far below the 41 required. For activists, this is "economic murder" for minorities.

A Christian street sweeper was targeted by a mob charged with having burned pages with Koranic writing on them. In reality the pages were ripped up by two students . The mob ready to lynch the man . Intervention of a 26-year old Muslim, belonging to a network pro human rights, decisive. Christian activist: a "success" story, saving the life of an "innocent youth".

In 2013, Philips Masih was charged under the "black law" on false allegations. Freed thanks to the intervention of some Muslim leaders, his electrical equipment store went bankrupt. AsiaNews told his story and an anonymous benefactor – who is helping six more people - donated food and helped him to begin again.

The government's proposal to introduce a minimum wage comes in for harsh criticism because it "fails to fight poverty." Demonstrators demand a "living wage" based on the real cost of living as well as "social and legal protection" for workers engaged in the informal sector.

On the eve of International Women's Day, hundreds of people march to demand an end to abuse in all its forms. They appeal to the government for "new laws" to protect women, who are discriminated in the family and the workplace. This battle is "cultural" as well as societal in a country that does not fully recognise equal rights for women.

The victim is 39 year old Naveed Maqsood. Thanks to the quotas reserved for minorities he had obtained a job as a driver in a government school. The Muslim principle, however, was not happy "because he is a member of a minority" and has never paid him. After he took to case to court, the judges ordered his dismissal.