Pakistan

The Christian Family Laws Bill 2026 amends a 19th-century, colonial-era law. The minimum age for marriage is raised to 18, and the consent of both parties is required. Sponsor Anthony Naveed hopes for cross-party support when the bill comes to a vote in the Provincial Assembly.

Prime Minister Sharif praised the heroism of the Christian nurse who risked her life in Islamabad to save a newborn baby during a fire in which 14 others died. “I didn’t even think twice,” she said, demonstrating through an act more powerful than words that, according to the Gospel, every person is precious.

Mirza Safdar Mahmood was shot dead in Mandi Bahauddin. Police, which suspects a targeted killing, are searching for two, unidentified attackers. The Ahmadi community now fears for its safety. A spokesperson slams hatred and prejudice.

Amir Masih was arrested on 11 August 2026, Pakistan’s National Minority Day, following a complaint filed against him regarding allegedly offensive remarks and a video he supposedly shared on social media. The NGO Human Rights Focus Pakistan, which is following the case, said the allegations need to be independently verified. Fears for other Christian families remain.

Following the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences which killed 14 newborn babies, the families are demanding justice. One mother told AsiaNews: “It was not God’s will.” Bishop Shukardin expressed his condolences and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. The National Commission for Children’s Rights is calling for an investigation.

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”.