Pakistan

The accident occurred while a group of worshippers were on their way to a Easter vigil. The vehicle drove into the crowd at high speed. Following the incident, the local Catholic community protested the police failure to deploy officers to protect the celebration.

New Beijing-mediated talks took place today in Xinjiang to halt fighting along the Pakistan-Afghan border. Meanwhile, Islamabad is positioning itself as a mediator in the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, after presenting a tentative ceasefire initiative, with Chinese backing.

The marriage of Maria Bibi of Lahore has been upheld, following an apparent conversion to Islam. Her father's appeal for her release has been rejected. Activists and the local Church are outraged. The Bishop of Faisalabad slams loopholes in the law, calling for urgent reforms to set the marriage age at 18 and boost the protection of minors.

Two weeks after his appointment, the installation ceremony was held for the Capuchin prelate, formerly Apostolic Vicar of Quetta. “I stand before you with humility and gratitude, ready to be guided by God.” This was the warning from Archbishop Travas, who has served as apostolic administrator of this Church for the past two years: “Beware of those who use you for their own interests and agendas.”

The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the end of Ramadan is part of a broader objective, namely possible talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad to halt the war in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump reported "very good and productive conversations," ostensibly with the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Saudi Arabia is also playing a central role.

The temporary suspension of hostilities until 23 March was agreed by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who are pushing for negotiations on the conflict that began on 26 February. The heavy toll of the bombings on the Afghan capital. The Taliban speak of violations. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, statements by the US intelligence chief regarding “potential threats” from Pakistani missiles are causing controversy.

The interfaith dinner, organised by the Archdiocese’s Commission for Dialogue during the final days of Ramadan – which this year coincides with Lent – was attended by representatives of the various communities and local politicians. “This is not the time to fight or harm one another: we all condemn violence and pray for one another”.

According to Kabul, a drug rehab facility in the Afghan capital is also hit in the latest Pakistani airstrikes, with hundreds killed, while Islamabad denies targeting civilians. The escalation is part of Pakistan's "open war" against the Taliban, accused of supporting terrorist groups. India slammed the attack, while China continues to call for restraint.

Residents of the H-9 Rimsha Colony slum are protesting an order to vacate their homes and shops within two days. The community includes families who fled Mehrabadi in 2012 with the government's consent following the case of Rimsha Masih, a teenager wrongly accused of blasphemy and now living in exile in Canada. The eviction violates the 2001 National Housing Policy and a 2015 Supreme Court order.

The unusual ‘exchange’ between the prelates of the two episcopal sees is linked to certain accusations (which proved unfounded) that in the summer of 2024 led to the appointment of an apostolic administrator in the Archdiocese of Punjab. The faithful hope that this decision will help to revive the life of the local Church, encouraging everyone to participate.

21-year-old Marcus Masih died on 4 March at the farm where he worked. The owners spoke of ‘suicide’, but there are clear signs of violence on the body. The community takes to the streets and demands justice, but the police report them for obstructing traffic. The family is under pressure to avoid trial and prison for the suspects.

A group of well-known Pakistani women's rights activists were stopped by police, who did not exempt the march from the ban on gatherings imposed because of the war. Meanwhile, the NGO Minority Concern recalls the tragedy of double discrimination against girls from minority groups, who are victims of forced conversions, abductions and lack of access to education and work.