Pakistan Archives

Pakistan decries EU parliament’s move on blasphemy laws

May 1, 2021

Pakistan on Friday decried a move by the European Parliament, which a day earlier adopted a resolution demanding Islamabad allow freedom for religious minorities and asked the EU to reconsider the South Asian country’s preferential trade status.

By Munir Ahmed

Pakistan’s iconic human rights defender I.A. Rehman dies

Apr 12, 2021

An iconic Pakistani human rights defender and journalist I.A. Rehman has died in the eastern city of Lahore after a brief illness, his family and friends said Monday. Rehman was 90. He spent his life defending human rights, opposing military dictators, fighting for the rule of law and democracy.

By Associated Press

Poll finds that on anti-Christian persecution, U.S. Catholics now get it

Mar 18, 2021

According to the most recent survey by Aid to the Church in Need, when it comes to American Catholic attitudes about anti-persecution around the world, Catholics in the US now appreciate there’s a severe persecution of Christians around the world, even if they still come up a little short on the fine points.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Hundreds of Christian families face eviction from their homes in Pakistan

Mar 18, 2021

Over the past week, the houses of 450 Catholic families were destroyed in Pakistan, and those of 1,000 Christians will be bulldozed by government officials in upcoming days.

By Inés San Martín

Shahbaz Bhatti ‘one of the finest Christian leaders we had,’ cardinal says

Mar 2, 2021

On the 10th anniversary of the assassination of a Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti, known for his advocacy on behalf of religious minorities, the country’s top Catholic leader praised the politician as a champion of human and minority rights.

By Elise Ann Allen

Pakistani court grants bail to Christian in blasphemy case

Mar 1, 2021

A Pakistani court on Monday granted bail to a Christian man convicted in 2018 while still a teenager of insulting Islam by posting a picture of Islam’s holiest site on social media, a defense lawyer said.

By Babar Dogar

Pakistan experts: Religiosity fostering rise in militancy

Feb 27, 2021

Militant attacks are on the rise in Pakistan amid a growing religiosity that has brought greater intolerance, prompting one expert to voice concern the country could be overwhelmed by religious extremism.

By Kathy Gannon

Pakistani couple’s appeal of blasphemy sentence postponed

Feb 24, 2021

A Pakistani court Wednesday adjourned without hearing a much-awaited appeal from a Christian couple facing the death penalty for the last seven years after being convicted of blasphemy, a defense lawyer said.

By Babar Dogar