Pakistan

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.

Celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the archdiocese ended with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by the apostolic nuncio. Archbishop Travas highlighted three challenges: following Jesus, the Synodal journey, and serving the poor and the vulnerable. He also called for greater responsibility for the laity (especially women) in the life of the Church.

Last week, the new Bishop's House was inaugurated and blessed in the presence of Card Joseph Coutts and Archbishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio to Pakistan, as well as other bishops of Pakistan. The venue will serve as a point of reference for the Church’s pastoral and social activities led by Archbishop Arshad.

Minahil, only six years old, was raped in the Asan School System by Muhammad Hassan, an employee of the institute. The man was arrested after the family's complaint, tests on the girl confirmed the abuse and DNA results are awaited. Christian and Muslim leaders have visited the victim and expressed their closeness to the parents.

Pakistan’s parliament approved a series of bills in about 40 minutes, sparking a strong reaction from the main opposition party, which is led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The army chief of staff, who was supposed to leave next year, will thus remain in office until 2027. The number of justices on the Supreme Court has also been increased.

In Multan, Roshani Shakeel was the victim of a forced marriage last March. The human rights violation was possible because of the complicity of local authorities and the imam who facilitated the conversion. “They are torturing our family,” the girl’s mother told AsiaNews. For activist Joseph Jansen, “This systemic failure must be addressed”.

After months of clashes with the judiciary, most notably over the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government led by Shehbaz Sharif has approved a constitutional amendment empowering a parliamentary committee with appointing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, hitherto chosen based on seniority. For experts, this is a new attempt to limit the powers to which the opposition can turn to.

Initiated by Archbishop Joseph Arshad, the diocesan tournament is now in its fifth year, involving 14 teams from the various parishes. A sign of the attention paid to young people in the conviction that sport can also help minorities emerge from the margins of Pakistani society.

Accused of throwing away waste paper with sacred inscriptions, a fact they denied. The lawyer speaks of bad intentions towards the women, one of whom is also a widow. Activist Joseph Jansen: ‘This abuse of the laws must stop before more innocent lives are lost’.