Pakistan

Drawing on the suffering of refugees, “Batwara 1947” seeks to foster unity rather than division in the memory of a deep historical wound. Fr Norbert Herman: “It highlights the values of unity, justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence amongst people of different faiths.”

The police intervened, detaining hundreds of women who were demonstrating peacefully at Bilawal House in Karachi. For years, they have been calling for a structured framework for their service and career progression. Nasira Parveen: the programme is a ‘legacy’ of Benazir Bhutto and the PPP must safeguard it.

Three years on from the most serious wave of violence against Christians in Pakistan in recent years, the community in Faisalabad has taken to the streets once more. In July, a man was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after footage showed him demolishing churches. However, the majority of the suspects remain at large.

In Lahore, Christian artist Alyas Rahmat has been using community performances to speak out about women's rights, early marriage, minorities, and peace for 25 years. But in Sindh and Quetta, he has also faced threats and pressures.

The second round of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir confirmed the lead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N; however, the election was boycotted by the opposition amid charges of fraud, along with protests by the local population. The decisive vote in the Poonch Division is scheduled for next Monday.

Students, lawyers, and activists were detained during Kashmir solidarity marches in Lahore and other cities. Human rights groups are calling for the protesters' release and an independent inquiry. For the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, repressing dissent undermines democracy.

The blast was likely caused by a build-up of methane gas. Rescue operations are still under way and further casualties are feared. Trade unions and human rights campaigners have denounced serious shortcomings in safety measures and are calling for stricter controls. The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace states that the protection of miners is “a human rights obligation”.

Human rights groups are shocked by the court’s decision. The girl had been rescued after her family filed a complaint. In court, she was threatened her with apostasy if she rejected Islam. Activist Ashiknaz Khokhar urges the authorities to vet documentary evidence to verify victims’ age.

In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, protests during local elections have left at least 40 dead. On the Indian side, New Delhi has stepped up arrests and security operations following the killing of a police officer. These two crises confirm that the region remains the flashpoint between India and Pakistan.

In the first half of 2026, 8,105 new cases were filed regarding divorce, marriage annulment, and child support, bringing the total pending cases to 16,000. The increase reflects reforms for minorities, marriages of choice, and tensions related to the use of social media like TikTok. The Church insists on support and counselling before legal action.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has overturned the last convictions for one of the most serious incidents of religiously motivated violence in Lahore. The Christian couple was shot to death in 2014 in the brick kiln where they worked. For lawyer Shawaiz Javed, the fight for justice continues.

The reuse of contaminated syringes at Valika Hospital has infected scores, with at least 120 testing positive since the scandal broke out in October 2025. Some 78 are children (six of whom have already died). The families' pain is compounded by stigma surrounding the disease.