Pakistan

AsiaNews in conversation with Patras Paul, a Muslim cleric who suddenly - more than twenty years ago - reading the Gospel found in it the answers he could no longer find in the Koran. He tells of the persecution he suffered for this choice and of his difficult life today. His battle to have his new religious identity recognised on his identity card.

Despite existing legislation, kilns are places of "inter-generational slavery", circles of violence from which it is almost impossible to escape. Minority activist Joseph Janssen freed 32 people from six Christian families. Naseem, Mehwish and Safia and their relatives tell stories of decades of a hellish life. “We want justice, not only for our families, but also for those who still work there,” said Habib, one of the survivors.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai spoke out against Afghanistan's treatment of women at the International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities hosted by Pakistan. At the end of the meeting, a 17-point declaration was signed in defence of women's education.

The gesture of goodwill and détente has been repeated every year since 1991 at the start of the new year under an agreement to prevent attacks on nuclear installations. This allows the two countries to exchange a list of their facilities along one of the hottest borders in the world. Most of the people freed are fishermen caught operating outside their countries’ territorial waters.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the announcement on Thursday since the two national teams have tended to avoid playing in the other country for years. Cricket matches between the two countries are always full of tensions, reflecting bilateral political relations. Politicians are also present in the two national cricket federations.

The European Union Agency for Asylum released a report documenting the practice, especially through debt bondage. In one year, more than 28,000 Pakistanis have requested international protection upon arrival in the EU and 34,000 cases are pending. The report highlights the deterioration of democracy and an increase in violence, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

A group of women working in the brickyards, unable to afford the expenses for a wedding, entrusted their daughters to the Pentecostal Church. A collective event was celebrated at the beginning of the month. The hope is that the girls will thus have the chance to avoid the spiral of poverty of their families.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad inaugurated the village and Christmas tree at La Salle High School and College. Waiting for Christmas is a time to commit to peace. For the prelate, “we need the Messiah again in our lives.” In Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar Church hosted an interfaith singing event last Sunday, with distinguished civic and religious guests.

Local authorities have reported killing 16 terrorists in the past week alone. In addition to the threat of the Pakistani Taliban and the claims of the population of Belucistan, new sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have recently been added. But the response of the executive, focused on internal political dynamics, is considered insufficient.

In Pakistan, police attack the mosques of the persecuted Islamic minority, who are not allowed to worship in public since 1984. Kakhanwali and Faisalabad are the scene of the latest raids, even though structures built before 1984 are protected. Ahmadi spokesman Aamir Mahmood slams the government for using the law against his community.

Over the past few days, the government arrested thousands of people and shut down the Internet. Members of the former prime minister’s party, led by his wife and the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reached the capital’s government district, clashing with law enforcement. Six people have already died.

The official death toll speaks of more than 40 dead, but according to other information disseminated online, the number of victims is more than 100. The convoy that was targeted was travelling along a recently reopened road with an escort of agents. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been unstable for some time and residents accuse the government of failing to guarantee the safety of residents.