Pakistan

These workers were sent home in November without any notice. Trade unionist Imran Bhatti: 'We will continue our protests, the government is solely responsible for any misfortune to these poor families'

The association set up to continue the work of the Christian minister slain in 2011 underwrites an initiative in the village of Khushpur that is backed by the Diocese of Treviso (Italy). For Shahbaz Bhatti’s brother, Paul, in 2022 the effects of COVID-19, floods and Pakistan’s political instability have had a serious impact on the poorest of the poor.

Six months after the calamity that sowed death and destruction in large parts of Pakistan, the families helped by AsiaNews were forced to leave Allah Bachao Shoro under threat from some Muslims. They still live under tents, exposed to insect bites and diseases. “These cruel floods have ruined our lives,” said one displaced person who prays to God to “send someone to support us.”

Her name is Aneeta and she is 24 years old. She was found after eight hours and this was made possible thanks to the intervention of the local parish priest. However, the girl's family was transferred to another village to avoid further retaliation.

The chances of a deal with the International Monetary Fund are receding. Media regulators have banned the broadcast of the former prime minister's speeches, while the High Court has ordered his arrest. Meanwhile, people are increasingly unhappy about the economic situation.

Today's headlines: Philippine coast guard spotted over 40 Beijing ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea; Pakistani police serve arrest warrants on former premier Imran Khan; Qatari emir 'perplexed' over delays in aid to post-earthquake Syria; illegal pangolin sales increase in Laos.

The Christian minister, who was killed in 2011 for his opposition to Islamic extremism and minority rights violations, was commemorated across the country. People miss “his leadership”. Human rights associations bemoan the failure to repeal the blasphemy laws while “the number of falsely accused has increased.”

Shahida Raza came from Balochistan where the Hazara minority is persecuted. Last month February, the province saw a spike in violence by the Pakistani Taliban. She also played football. Seventeen Pakistani migrants survived the tragedy off the coast of Crotone, southern Italy.

Anwar Kenneth was sentenced to death in Lahore in 2002 for defending Christianity against Islam in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks. After five court-appointed lawyers refused to defend him, one agreed to take up his case at the next hearing. For human rights advocates, defending one’s faith cannot be considered blasphemy.

In the country shaken for months by political and economic tensions, the polls are set for 9 April in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Pakistani Church: "A denial of the right to vote. The date should be changed as soon as possible."

Yesterday, a group of young people attended the mass presided over by Archbishop Travas. In his homily he called for "penance and acts of sacrifice" such as fasting to draw closer to Christ. But new elements of tension emerge in political world: in protest, some allies of former premier Imran Khan purposely handed themselves over to the police to be arrested.

Today's headlines: a Pakistani delegation visits Kabul to discuss issue of terrorist attacks; Speculation about a metal ball found in Japan; At least 4 dead in China after a mine collapse; In Papua New Guinea a woman taken hostage on Sunday is released; Bombings between Israel and the Gaza Strip after yesterday's deaths in Nablus; Closer and closer ties between Russia and Belarus.