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        <title>Christian Daily International | Asia</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pakistan urged to end forced conversions/marriages]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/pakistan-urged-to-end-forced-conversions-marriages</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/45/4503.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) renewed call to criminalize forced conversions in Pakistan in new report.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ NCJP ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) renewed call to criminalize forced conversions in Pakistan in new report. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:23:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A U.N.-appointed body on Wednesday (April 22) urged Pakistan to intensify efforts to eradicate forced conversions/marriages, noting that young minority girls consistently fall victim to Islamist coercion.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A U.N.-appointed body on Wednesday (April 22) urged Pakistan to intensify efforts to eradicate forced conversions/marriages, noting that young minority girls consistently fall victim to Islamist coercion.
To prevent forced conversions/marriages, the independent experts appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) urged Pakistan to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 across all provinces and territories, criminalize forced religious conversion as a distinct offense and enforce laws related to human trafficking and sexual violence.
They also echoed recommendations from U.N. treaty bodies calling for prompt, impartial investigations into all allegations and accountability for perpetrators.
“We are deeply concerned that law enforcement authorities often dismiss complaints lodged by victims’ families, fail to investigate or prosecute forced conversions in a timely manner, or neglect to properly assess the age of victims,” the panel concluded in a statement.
The statement called for comprehensive, gender-responsive support services for survivors, including safe shelters, legal aid, psychological counseling and reintegration programs.
Pakistan has yet to adequately address underlying drivers such as gender inequality, poverty, social exclusion, religious intolerance and discrimination against minorities, they said in the statement.
“Freedom of religion or belief and equality must be ensured for all without discrimination,” they said.
Voicing concern over the continued and widespread abduction and forced religious conversion of women and girls from minority communities in Pakistan, the panel warned that impunity was allowing the practice to persist. They said conversions carried out in the context of marriage must be free from coercion and based on full consent – conditions that cannot be met in cases involving minors.
“Any change of religion or belief must be genuinely free from coercion, and marriage must be based on full and free consent, which is not legally possible when the victim is a child,” the panel stated.
The statement was endorsed by the U.N.’s Tomoya Obokata, special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery; Nazila Ghanea, special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Nicolas Levrat, special rapporteur on minority issues; Siobhán Mullally, special rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Claudia Flores (Chair), Ivana Krstić (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi of the working group on discrimination against women and girls; and Reem Alsalem, special rapporteur on violence against women and girls.
Last year, about 75 percent of reported victims of forced conversion through marriage were Hindu, while 25 percent were Christian, the panel stated. Nearly 80 percent of these incidents were recorded in Sindh Province. Adolescent girls between the ages of 14 and 18 were identified as particularly vulnerable, though some victims were reportedly even younger.
The panel highlighted that poverty and social marginalization further increase the risks faced by minority women and girls.
“These women and girls endure a continuous sense of terror, face coercion and are deprived of their freedom of religion or belief and autonomy under patriarchal and political pressures. This must stop,” they stated.
The scale and persistence of such violations indicate systemic discrimination against non-Muslim women and girls, who are often compelled to convert to Islam in order to marry Muslim men, the panel stated.
At the same time, the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) renewed its call for legislation criminalizing forced conversions, following the recent release of a report entitled, “Captive Souls: The Untold Story of Pakistan’s Minority Girls.”
The report, based on cases involving Christian girls between 2021 and 2025, found that conversions were consistently carried out through coercive means, including threats, intimidation, deception and economic pressure.
“In many cases, individuals are compelled to convert in order to escape discrimination, violence, or social marginalization, or to resolve economic pressures such as debt,” the report stated.
NCJP Executive Director Naeem Yousaf Gill said Pakistan lacks a specific law criminalizing forced religious conversion and called for formal state recognition of the issue as a first step toward reform.
“Only then can the state earnestly tackle the problem through comprehensive legislation designed to protect the rights of religious minorities, particularly girls and women,” he said.
Gill proposed safeguards including due process in conversion cases, a minimum age requirement for conversion, strict penalties for coercion, independent verification mechanisms, victim support services and specialized courts for expedited proceedings.
The report also criticized a Feb. 3 ruling by Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court that upheld the Islamic marriage of a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, with a 30-year-old Muslim accused of abducting her, despite official documentation indicating she was below the legal marriage age.
Catholic Church leaders, including Catholics Bishops Conference President Bishop Samson Shukardin and NCJP National Director Bernard Emmanuel, said such cases raise concerns about inconsistent application of child marriage laws.
“Courts are not consistently applying legislation that prohibits the marriage of anyone under 18 years of age,” a joint statement said. “This selective application of the law is deeply troubling.”
They emphasized that while judicial independence must be respected, courts are obligated to ensure that cases involving forced conversion and underage marriage are handled transparently and in line with constitutional and international human rights standards.
Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The report cited forced conversions, abductions and gaps in legal protections among key concerns.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Court change sought to help kidnapped Christian girls in Pakistan]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/court-change-sought-to-help-kidnapped-christian-girls-in-pakistan</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4388.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Punjab Assembly building in Lahore, Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Sunni Person, Creative Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Punjab Assembly building in Lahore, Pakistan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:53:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan filed a motion in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday (April 21) seeking an explanation from the provincial government on why courts were not consistently accepting official age records in cases of abducted and forcibly converted/married girls.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan filed a motion in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday (April 21) seeking an explanation from the provincial government on why courts were not consistently accepting official age records in cases of abducted and forcibly converted/married girls.
Ejaz Alam Augustine, a former provincial minister for human rights and minority affairs, questioned the judiciary’s disregarding of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) birth record as conclusive evidence, warning the practice increases exploitation of minors.
His motion follows a controversial Feb. 3 ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, which upheld the marriage of a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, to Shehryar Ahmad, a 30-year-old Muslim man whom her family has accused of abducting her.
In its detailed judgment issued on March 25, a two-judge bench questioned the reliability of NADRA and local union council records, citing delayed registration, inconsistencies in documentation and contradictions in statements regarding the girl’s age. The court held that such records, without satisfactory explanation or independent corroboration, could not be treated as conclusive proof.
The bench also alleged that the petitioner, Maria’s father Shahbaz Masih, had failed to adequately explain discrepancies in the documentation. It further observed that Maria appeared “to be of a more advanced age” during court proceedings.
In his motion, Augustine argued that minority communities, particularly Christians, face significant challenges in such cases, as they rely on NADRA-issued documents as primary proof of identity and age. He called on the government to clarify why child registration certificates and family registration certificates are not granted full legal standing in court, what policy measures are being taken to address the issue and how minority communities are being protected.
The motion also requests that NADRA’s director general brief the provincial assembly or a relevant committee.
Augustine said the court’s ruling had caused “deep anguish and unrest” within the Christian community.
“This issue constitutes a violation of the fundamental rights of minority citizens,” Augustine told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Courts in Punjab are continuing to disregard official birth documents, which has become a barrier to restoring custody of abducted girls to their parents. If courts rely instead on statements about age – often made under duress – it undermines the purpose of official records.”
He further claimed that multiple cases involving the alleged abduction and forced conversion or marriage of minor Christian girls had been reported across Punjab since the FCC ruling.
Augustine on Monday (April 20) submitted a notice proposing amendments to the draft Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, which has been approved by a standing committee of the provincial assembly and is expected to be presented for a vote.
While welcoming the bill’s provision to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 for both males and females, Augustine said it contains gaps. He called for mandatory presentation of national identity cards at the time of marriage registration and for marriages involving minors to be declared void from the outset.
“It is inconsistent to criminalize child marriage while continuing to recognize such unions as legally valid,” he said. “This legal gap must be addressed.”
His proposed amendments also emphasize restoring custody of minors to their parents as their natural guardians. Augustine added that several Muslim lawmakers support the proposals, expressing optimism that they could be incorporated into the final legislation.
On April 13, a provincial assembly committee advanced the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 for further consideration. The bill follows an ordinance promulgated on Feb. 11 by Punjab Gov. Sardar Saleem Haider, which is set to lapse in May if not enacted into law.
The proposed legislation would replace provisions of the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. It classifies child marriage as a cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offense, with penalties including up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million Pakistani rupees (about $3,500). It also introduces penalties for marriage registrars who facilitate underage marriages, criminalizes cohabitation resulting from such unions as child abuse, and imposes liability on parents or guardians who enable them. Cases would be tried in sessions courts with a mandated 90-day timeframe for resolution.
Despite these measures, rights advocates say enforcement remains a major challenge, particularly in cases involving religious minorities.
Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, citing concerns including forced conversions, abductions and gaps in legal protection for vulnerable communities.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Thousands of Christians get temporary relief as Pakistan’s top court intervenes in Islamabad evictions]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/thousands-of-christians-get-temporary-relief-as-pakistans-top-court-intervenes-in-islamabad-evictions</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4472.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[The Federal Constitutional Court in Islamabad, Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Federal Constitutional Court in Islamabad, Pakistan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:12:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[More than 25,000 Christians living in informal settlements in Pakistan’s federal capital have expressed cautious relief after the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) ordered authorities to halt imminent evictions and finalize long-delayed regulations to legalize such communities within four weeks.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
More than 25,000 Christians living in informal settlements in Pakistan’s federal capital have expressed cautious relief after the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) ordered authorities to halt imminent evictions and finalize long-delayed regulations to legalize such communities within four weeks.
A two-judge FCC bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Arshad Shah issued the directive on Thursday (April 16) while hearing petitions filed by residents and Awami Workers Party leader, Dr. Asim Sajjad Akhter. The petitions argued that access to housing was a fundamental right and that it was the state’s responsibility to provide adequate living conditions to its citizens.
At the outset, the court expressed concern over the prolonged delays in framing a regulatory policy for informal settlements and instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to consult stakeholders before finalizing rules.
During proceedings, Chief Justice Khan questioned Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman about the CDA’s failure to complete the regulations. Rehman attributed the delay to administrative changes, including the replacement of the CDA chairman, but assured the court that draft regulations were ready for approval.
Representing the petitioners, Supreme Court advocate Faisal Siddiqui argued that forced evictions without due process violated constitutional protections. He emphasized that the case should be treated as a matter of legal right rather than charity, asserting that residents cannot be displaced without alternative housing.
The court also questioned whether provisions for low-income settlements existed within Islamabad’s master plan. AAG Rehman responded that such settlements were not formally included, though those established before 1995 had been recognized on humanitarian grounds. Siddiqui countered that despite policies introduced in 2001 and 2016, authorities continued eviction operations without proper implementation.
“No one can be evicted without being provided an alternative place,” Siddiqui told the court. “This is Islamabad, not Gaza.”
CDA's counsel Qasim Chohan maintained that land allocated for resettlement had been misused, claiming some residents refused to vacate previous dwellings after receiving alternative plots. He added that the CDA had recognized 10 settlements but identified at least 31 others as illegal encroachments, including areas in public greenbelts.
Petitioners disputed official figures, estimating that nearly 400,000 people lived in informal settlements across Islamabad, with a significant proportion belonging to the Christian community—one of Pakistan’s most economically marginalized religious minorities.
Following arguments, the court adjourned proceedings for four weeks, granting the CDA time to finalize and present regulations.
A day earlier, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), alongside civil society groups, including the All-Pakistan Alliance for Katchi Abadis and the National Commission for Justice and Peace, urged superior courts to uphold a 2015 stay order by the Supreme Court of Pakistan against summary evictions. The groups stressed that forced displacement of low-income communities violates the constitutional right to housing.
Participants at the meeting criticized the CDA’s failure to address the housing needs of the urban poor, noting that Islamabad lacks a comprehensive legal framework for regularizing informal settlements in line with international standards.
Christian community leader Imran Shahzad Sahotra welcomed the FCC’s directive but expressed caution. He noted that the Supreme Court had issued similar orders in 2016, which were not fully implemented.
“Despite the court’s earlier stay order, demolitions continued, leaving our community in fear and distress,” Sahotra told Christian Daily International. “We will be reassured only when this decision is enforced.”
A 2025 study by the Awami Workers Party titled Permanent Impermanence found that nearly half of Islamabad’s informal settlements include substantial Christian populations, with four of the 10 recognized settlements being predominantly Christian.
In a statement, Archbishop Joseph Arshad of the Catholic Archdiocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi described the ruling as a positive step toward protecting marginalized communities.
“The decision reflects a constructive move toward addressing the long-standing concerns of vulnerable citizens,” he said, emphasizing that residents of informal settlements are entitled to dignity, legal protection and access to basic services.
The FCC’s directive follows weeks of unrest linked to the CDA’s anti-encroachment campaign launched in March. Protests intensified in several settlements, including Noorpur Shahan, where clashes on April 14 left at least eight police officers and dozens of residents injured, according to local media. Authorities reported that hundreds of demonstrators participated, with some incidents of property damage.
The following day, demolition teams razed approximately 200 homes in the area under heavy police deployment. Reports said that authorities registered cases against hundreds of residents under anti-terrorism laws.
Tensions were also reported in Allama Iqbal Colony, also known as Sharper Colony, where an estimated 1,300 Christian families—mostly employed in low-income occupations such as sanitation work and domestic labor—resisted demolition efforts. Community leaders described a prolonged standoff, alleging that officials damaged property and removed household belongings before withdrawing.
The CDA has announced plans to clear multiple informal settlements in Islamabad, several of which are predominantly Christian. Community representatives said that the operations have heightened insecurity among daily wage earners who lack the financial resources to relocate.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Police action lacking in abduction of Christian girl in Pakistan]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/police-action-lacking-in-abduction-of-christian-girl-in-pakistan</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4456.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Purported Islamic marriage certificate of Sidra Bibi lacks her national ID number, which is a legal requirement.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International-Morning Star News ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Purported Islamic marriage certificate of Sidra Bibi lacks her national ID number, which is a legal requirement. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:08:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Police in Pakistan have declined to recover a 15-year-old Christian girl who was abducted at gunpoint, forcibly converted to Islam and married to the kidnapper, according to her father.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Police in Pakistan have declined to recover a 15-year-old Christian girl who was abducted at gunpoint, forcibly converted to Islam and married to the kidnapper, according to her father.
Afzal Javed Masih of Chak No. 648-GB village in Jaranwala, in Punjab Province’s Faisalabad Division, said that his daughter, Sidra Bibi, was taken from their home in the early hours of March 27 by a Muslim, Ali Murtaza, and two accomplices. The men scaled the wall of his house at around 3 a.m. and took Sidra away at gunpoint, he said.
Masih, who collects scrap in Sialkot District to provide a livelihood for his family back in the village, said relatives home at the time informed him of the kidnapping.
“I immediately returned to the village and registered a First Information Report [FIR] the same day, hoping for my daughter’s safe recovery,” he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
Police promptly registered the case but inaccurately recorded Sidra’s age as 17 year old instead of 15 and seven months, as stated on her official birth certificate, Masih said.
“I am illiterate and only learned of this discrepancy later, when a rights activist pointed it out,” he said.
Police initially detained relatives of the suspect but later released them after documents surfaced purporting that Sidra had converted to Islam and married Murtaza of her own free will in Rahim Yar Khan District in South Punjab, Masih said.
He rejected the authenticity of the documents, which included an affidavit allegedly signed by his daughter stating that she was an adult and had embraced Islam after exposure to religious content on social media.
“This claim is absurd,” Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “My daughter has never attended school, and our family does not own a smart phone due to our financial condition.”
He said Murtaza had previously harassed the family.
“Last year, he fired shots at our house after I objected to him loitering outside,” Masih said. “Despite my complaint, police took no meaningful action. Had they acted then, this incident might have been prevented.”
Masih added that the investigation has stalled, leaving the family with little hope of recovering their daughter, the eldest of his children. He noted that his family is the only Christian household in the village, raising concerns about vulnerability due to their minority status.
His household includes his wife, the couple’s five children and his elderly parents.
Legal experts have criticized the handling of the case, pointing to potential violations of child protection laws. Lazar Allah Rakha, a senior Christian lawyer who has represented victims in similar cases, said police were obligated to pursue the case under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, regardless of discrepancies in the FIR.
“Even if the girl’s age is incorrectly stated as 17, the law prohibits marriage under 18,” Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Police should also have invoked additional charges, including those related to statutory rape and abduction.”
He also noted irregularities in the purported Nikahnama, or Islamic marriage certificate, including the absence of Sidra’s national identity card number, which is a legal requirement. The Islamic conversion document also does not contain her ID card number, he said. 
Police could not be reached for comment.
Rakha welcomed recent legislative efforts to curb child marriages but warned that weak enforcement undermines their effectiveness.
“Courts must require verifiable proof of age, even where a girl claims she consented,” he said. “Too often, courts accept such statements despite official documentation indicating minority.”
Police frequently omit key criminal provisions from FIRs, contributing to a climate of impunity, he said.
Rakha further expressed concern that the proposed law does not declare child marriages void from the outset (ab initio), meaning such unions may remain legally valid even if coercion is later established.
“This legal gap leaves victims vulnerable even after rescue,” he said, urging lawmakers to introduce amendments.
On Monday (April 13), a provincial assembly committee approved the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, advancing it for further consideration. The bill follows an ordinance promulgated on Feb. 11 by Punjab Gov. Sardar Saleem Haider, which is set to lapse in May if not enacted into law.
The proposed legislation seeks to raise the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 for both males and females, replacing provisions of the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. It classifies child marriage as a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offense, with penalties including up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500).
It also introduces penalties for marriage registrars who facilitate underage marriages, criminalizes cohabitation resulting from such unions as child abuse and imposes liability on parents or guardians who enable them. Cases would be tried in sessions courts with a mandated 90-day timeframe for resolution.
Despite these measures, rights advocates say enforcement remains a critical challenge, particularly in cases involving religious minorities.
Christian support group Open Doors ranked Pakistan eighth on its 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the greatest persecution, highlighting ongoing concerns about forced conversions, abductions and legal protections for vulnerable communities.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Violent clashes erupt as demolitions threaten Christian neighborhoods in Pakistan’s capital]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/violent-clashes-erupt-as-demolitions-threaten-christian-neighborhoods-in-pakistans-capital</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A screengrab from a Facebook video shows an official vehicle set ablaze during clashes between residents of the Noor Shahan informal settlement and police on April 14.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Facebook ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A screengrab from a Facebook video shows an official vehicle set ablaze during clashes between residents of the Noor Shahan informal settlement and police on April 14. ]]>
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                                                                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:46:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Violent protests erupted in Pakistan’s federal capital this week after civic authorities resumed demolition operations targeting informal settlements, including a predominantly Christian neighborhood, raising concerns among minority rights advocates about the vulnerability of poor Christian communities to forced evictions.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Violent protests erupted in Pakistan’s federal capital this week after civic authorities resumed demolition operations targeting informal settlements, including a predominantly Christian neighborhood, raising concerns among minority rights advocates about the vulnerability of poor Christian communities to forced evictions.
Clashes between residents and officials unfolded on April 13 in the Allama Iqbal Colony, also known as Sharper Colony, when teams from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), accompanied by police, arrived with heavy machinery to demolish what they described as illegal structures. The settlement is home to about 1,300 families, the majority of them Christians working in low-income jobs such as sanitation and domestic labor.
Community leaders said tensions escalated into a five-hour standoff as officials attempted to carry out the operation.
“The government teams sealed a scrapyard, broke locks of several Christian homes, and dragged household belongings into the street before they were forced to withdraw due to strong resistance,” said Imran Shahzad Sahotra, a local Christian leader.
He added that several homes and small businesses along the colony’s main road had been marked for future demolition, fueling fear among residents who have lived in the area for more than two decades.
“For families who have built these homes with years of hard labor and meager wages, eviction without compensation is devastating,” Sahotra said. “Many have nowhere else to go.”
The CDA has announced plans to clear at least four informal settlements in Islamabad, several of which are largely inhabited by Christians – one of Pakistan’s most marginalized religious minorities. Community leaders say the renewed operations have triggered widespread anxiety, particularly among daily wage earners who lack the financial means to relocate.
Such settlements often provide the only affordable housing option for minority communities, who face economic and social barriers in accessing formal housing markets, Sahotra said, urging the government to either grant ownership rights to long-term residents or provide adequate compensation and alternative housing. “The government must ensure that these families are not rendered homeless,” he said.
A day later, on April 14, similar anti-encroachment operations in the Noorpur Shahan area led to violent clashes between police and Muslim residents. At least eight police officers and several residents were injured as protesters hurled stones and set fire to two official vehicles.
Police responded with tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowds, after which authorities reportedly demolished an entire neighborhood. Local media reports stated that more than 13,000 homes have been razed in the area over the past six months.

Human rights organizations have condemned the CDA’s operations, warning that they disproportionately impact the urban poor, including religious minorities.
At a meeting convened by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on April 13, activists, lawyers and community representatives called on the superior courts to enforce a 2015 Supreme Court stay order that prohibits the forced eviction of informal settlements without due process.
In a statement, the HRCP criticized the CDA’s “anti-poor” approach and failure to provide adequate low-cost housing.
“The CDA has launched only one low-income housing scheme in decades, which accommodates only a fraction of the estimated 500,000 people living in informal settlements in Islamabad,” the statement said.
The HRCP emphasized that, in the absence of sufficient housing alternatives, informal settlements often represent the result of years of labor by working-class families seeking stability and dignity. It warned that ongoing demolition drives risk deepening Pakistan’s housing crisis while leaving already vulnerable communities—such as Christians—at greater risk of displacement.
Rights advocates also noted that Islamabad remains the only major city in Pakistan without a comprehensive legal framework for regularizing informal settlements, a policy widely used internationally to integrate such communities into formal urban planning.
Participants at the HRCP meeting stressed that the right to housing is protected under Article 9 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and dignity. They urged authorities to halt forced evictions, respect court orders, and adopt policies that prioritize resettlement and rehabilitation over demolition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian woman in Pakistan in critical condition after rape]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-woman-in-pakistan-in-critical-condition-after-rape</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4244.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Screenshot from YouTube ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:28:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A 25-year-old Christian woman in Pakistan remains in critical condition after two Muslims raped her on Saturday (April 11), sources said.]]></description>
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A 25-year-old Christian woman in Pakistan remains in critical condition after two Muslims raped her on Saturday (April 11), sources said.
The survivor, of Chak No. 175-RB Shahkot in Nankana Sahib District, Punjab Province, was assaulted while working as a daily-wage laborer in a citrus orchard, she said.
Her name withheld to protect her privacy, the woman said from her hospital bed that on April 11 she had gone to pick lemons along with other village women for a local contractor, Faizan Mehboob Rehmani, also known as Kaka. During a break, Rehmani and an unidentified accomplice forced her into a room in the orchard and sexually assaulted her, she said.
“Kaka may have thought I was an easy target because I am a Christian,” she said. “They have destroyed my life. I want the police and courts to ensure they are punished.”
Her uncle, Tariq Masih, said the family is also facing threats.
“The accused and his relatives have started pressuring us to reach a settlement,” he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “They are threatening us with violence and telling us that we are weak and helpless who cannot afford to pursue this case.”
Though poor, he said he is determined to seek justice for his niece.
“I have faith in our Lord that He will not leave us alone in this difficult time,” Masih said.
The woman’s father, Masih’s brother Manzoor Masih, died two years ago, and his elderly wife, who cannot speak or hear, was left with six children who are now living with Tariq Masih’s family.
“We are very poor, and most of us work as daily-wage laborers in fields to survive,” Masih said.
After being repeatedly raped, the victim was later found unconscious in a street near her home, her clothes soaked in blood, he said.
“We were shocked when we received information that she had been found lying unconscious,” Masih said. “We immediately called rescue services, and she was taken to a government hospital near our village, where she remained unconscious for a day.”
When she regained consciousness, she told family members that the two men had assaulted her at gunpoint, he said.
“She told my son and daughter-in-law that Rehmani and another man, whom she could identify, had raped her,” Masih said. “The assault was so brutal that she received 22 stitches in her genital area.”
Masih said he promptly reported the crime to police and registered a First Information Report (FIR). He expressed concern, however, over the pace of the investigation.
“Delayed police action allowed the main accused to obtain pre-arrest bail until April 24,” he said.
The woman’s condition worsened due to excessive bleeding, prompting her transfer to Lahore, the provincial capital, on Wednesday (April 15) for specialized treatment, he said.
In a weak voice, the survivor managed to described the ordeal from her hospital bed.
“I went to drink water from a tap outside a room in the orchard when Kaka and another man came and pushed me inside at gunpoint,” she told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “They forced some drink into my mouth, tied my hands and feet with my scarf, and stuffed cloth into my mouth so I could not scream.
“I tried to resist, but Kaka pointed a pistol at my head and threatened to kill me,” she continued. “He then removed my shalwar [trouser] and raped me while the other man held me down. After that, his accomplice also raped me, but by then I had lost consciousness. I don’t know how many times they assaulted me.”
The survivor said she later regained partial consciousness and managed to leave the room.
“I was in severe pain and shock, but somehow I put my clothes back on and walked toward the road,” she said. “I took a rickshaw toward my home, but when I got close, I got down and collapsed after a few steps. I don’t remember anything after that.”
Paralegal group Christians’ True Spirit (CTS) has taken up the case and is supporting the family.
“Doctors have told us that the survivor is suffering from a severe infection due to the repeated assault,” said Asher Sarfaraz, chief executive of CTS. “We have handled many such cases, but the brutality in this incident has shocked us. We will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and receive maximum punishment.”
Rights advocates say such cases highlight the vulnerability of religious minorities in rural Pakistan, particularly impoverished Christians working in informal sectors under influential employers.
Pakistan continues to rank among the most difficult countries for Christians. According to the Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, the country ranked eighth globally, with systemic discrimination, gender-based violence, forced conversions, and weak law enforcement cited as persistent concerns.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Chhattisgarh, India governor signs harsh anti-conversion law]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/chhattisgarh-india-governor-signs-harsh-anti-conversion-law</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/chhattisgarh-india-governor-signs-harsh-anti-conversion-law</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bhorumdeo Temple near Kawardha, Kabirdham District, Chhattisgarh state, India.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pankaj Oudhia, Creative Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Bhorumdeo Temple near Kawardha, Kabirdham District, Chhattisgarh state, India. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:57:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The governor of Chhattisgarh state, India on April 7 signed legislation against forcible conversion that is harsher than similar laws that authorities and vigilante groups have used to falsely accuse Christians, sources said.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The governor of Chhattisgarh state, India on April 7 signed legislation against forcible conversion that is harsher than similar laws that authorities and vigilante groups have used to falsely accuse Christians, sources said.
In one of the states of India where Christians are most persecuted, Chhattisgarh Gov. Ramen Deka gave his assent to the law that will come into force after publication in the official gazette, replacing a 1968 statute that Christian leaders say was already weaponized against their communities. The new law introduces penalties that rank among the harshest for forced or fraudulent religious conversion in India.
The Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill (Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak) 2026 makes it a cognizable, non-bailable offense to convert anyone through force, fraud, allurement, undue influence, misrepresentation or marriage, including through digital platforms such as social media.
The law specifically exempts conversion to Hinduism. Reconversion to one’s “ancestral religion” (Hinduism) is also not treated as a conversion under its provisions.
Punishments are severe and give authorities and third-party complainants sweeping powers of arrest. Standard offenses carry seven to 10 years in prison and a minimum fine of 500,000 rupees ($5,361). If the victim is a minor, a woman, a person of unsound mind or a member of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes, the sentence rises to 10 to 20 years and a minimum fine of 1 million rupees ($10,722).
A “mass conversion,” defined as the conversion of two or more persons in a single event, draws between 10 years and life imprisonment and a minimum fine of 2.5 million rupees ($26,806). Repeat offenders face life imprisonment for each subsequent offense. These penalties exceed those prescribed for offenses such as manslaughter in some states.
The Progressive Christian Alliance, a network of pastors, church leaders and social workers, called the law unconstitutional and a discriminatory measure designed to harass minorities. The Alliance in a press statement said the bill was “not about protecting religious freedom” but about “systematically restricting and criminalizing the legitimate expression of minority faiths, particularly Christianity, in Chhattisgarh.”
Its coordinator added that the 1968 law the new statute replaces had already “been weaponized against Christians for decades,” with “hundreds of baseless FIRs lodged against pastors, evangelists, priests, nuns, and ordinary church members on trumped-up charges of forced conversion.”
John Dayal, spokesperson of the All India Catholic Union and a veteran journalist and human rights activist, said the law formed part of a deliberate political strategy to shrink the space for religious minorities across India.
“The BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] has to slink from state to state to corner Christians and Muslims on some issue or the other because the constitution does not give it a free hand on what is essentially a matter of local policing by states,” Dayal told Morning Star News.
Through such laws, Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) aims to disenfranchise Christianity in to fulfill the goals of core documents written by its founders – the desire for a Hindu nation, he said.
“It is also creeping step by step to make conversion, even of a lawful wife, punishable by death, a desire given voice by no less than a chief minister in the country,” Dayal said. “Totally weaponizing laws such as FCRA and conversion laws put the sword and the axe on the throat of individuals and the roots of institutions such as those of education and medical service, and evangelization including ban on entry of pastors in forest areas.”
Collectively, such laws speak of how little breathing space has been left for religious minorities such as Muslims and Christians in India, he added.
The Rev. Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, said the law reflected a pattern of simultaneous legislative action designed to normalize persecution across states.
“The signing of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill into law deepens our concern as a body that has challenged these laws in courts for over a decade,” Lal told Morning Star News. “The reconversion exemption that frees conversion to Hinduism from all scrutiny while criminalizing every other faith choice exposes the discriminatory intent at the heart of this legislation.”
The growing trend of “anti-conversion” laws is equally troubling, he said, as Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states acted almost simultaneously in March.
“These laws do not emerge in isolation,” he said. “They embolden vigilante groups, as we have witnessed in every state where similar legislation has passed.”
Under the new Chhattisgarh law, any public servant found guilty also faces 10 to 20 years in prison. Christian leaders note that the provision, while ostensibly aimed at preventing state complicity, does nothing to address police consistently acting alongside or in support of vigilantes falsely accusing Christians.
The law places significant obligations on anyone who assists in conversions. Under Section 13, such persons must register with the competent authority and submit annual audited financial accounts of all funds received, including from foreign sources. Church workers and rights groups warn this provision will be used to target Christian organizations whose charitable and social work has long been falsely framed as inducement-based conversion.
Any person seeking to convert must submit an application before an authorized officer not below the rank of additional district magistrate. Within seven days of receiving a complete application, that authority must publish details of the proposed conversion on an official website and display notices at local offices known as the tehsildar, the gram panchayat and the local police station.
The notice must carry the applicant’s name, current religion and proposed religion. Critics say the process effectively turns a deeply personal decision of faith into a public event open to interference by officials, neighbors and organized groups. Conversion certificates issued under the law will not serve as proof of citizenship or identity, and applications lapse if conversion does not take place within 90 days of approval.
The assembly passed the bill by voice vote on March 19 amid a complete boycott by the main opposition, the Indian National Congress. BJP legislators broke into chants of “Jai Shri Ram (victory to god Ram)” on the floor of the House as the vote concluded.
Legislators staged a walkout after the Speaker declined their demand to refer the bill to a Select Committee for wider consultation. Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant noted that similar laws from 11 states are under judicial review before the Supreme Court and urged the government to await a verdict.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who introduced the bill and holds the home portfolio, maintained that no Supreme Court stay exists on state legislative action in this area and that the government was acting within its constitutional authority under Article 25. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the legislation as a significant step toward preserving the state’s cultural identity and social balance, alleging incidents of conversion through inducement and misinformation targeting vulnerable tribal communities in Bastar, Jashpur and Raigarh as the primary justification.
The government’s case draws on a backdrop of documented communal tension, but Christian leaders say that backdrop has consistently been manufactured and exploited. In January 2023, a mob vandalized a church in Narayanpur District and attacked police, including the superintendent.
In July, two Catholic nuns from Kerala, Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, faced arrest by the Government Railway Police at Durg station following a complaint by a Bajrang Dal official. The nuns were accused of trafficking and forced conversion, though the women they accompanied denied the charges, saying the nuns were simply helping them find employment. The nuns received bail in August, but the case continues.
On Christmas Eve, Hindu nationalist groups destroyed Christmas decorations at a mall in Raipur during a Bandh called to protest alleged illegal conversions in Bastar.
For Christians in the state, these incidents are not isolated events but part of a pattern, and Christian leaders fear the new law now reinforces that trend with legal authority.
The Christian community responded swiftly and in large numbers. On March 28, thousands of Christians marched across Chhattisgarh in coordinated protests against the new anti-conversion law. Reports from multiple Christian and advocacy groups indicated that demonstrations were held across all 33 districts under the banner of the United Christian Society (Samyukt Masihi Samaj). 
Participants carried placards describing the legislation as a “black law,” and in Raipur, large numbers attempted to march towards Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor.
Catholic Bishop Antonis Bara of the Ambikapur Diocese said it was the first time Christians across denominations had come together for a single cause under one organizational umbrella. Bishop Emmanuel Kerketta of Jashpur told media, “Our demand across the state is the same – we want the state government to take back the new bill.”
The broader constitutional challenge to anti-conversion laws was already before the Supreme Court when Chhattisgarh passed its bill. On Feb. 2, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued notices to the Union government and 12 state governments on a petition filed by the National Council of Churches in India. Senior attorney Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the NCCI, told the court that the laws incentivize vigilante action.
“The Acts which are in challenge, they are structured in such a manner that it incentivizes certain vigilante groups to take action, because there are rewards out there,” she said. “So even if there is really no case at all, someone will make a case, somebody will be arrested, because there is a reward for those on the vigilante side.”
The court ordered the matter placed before a three-judge bench. Chhattisgarh’s new law now falls squarely within the scope of that challenge.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2026 Annual Report documented what it described as a continued deterioration of religious freedom conditions in India through 2025, noting that several states had moved to strengthen anti-conversion laws with harsher prison sentences. In the March 4 report, USCIRF recommended that India be designated a Country of Particular Concern for violations of religious rights such as occurs with anti-conversion legislation. Weeks later, Chhattisgarh passed and enacted one of the most severe such laws the country has seen.
Maharashtra state passed its own Freedom of Religion Bill days before Chhattisgarh’s assembly vote, a convergence that minority rights groups describe as a coordinated legislative push. The Supreme Court, already examining petitions from 12 states, now carries the weight of deciding whether India’s constitutional guarantees of conscience and religious freedom mean anything at all for the country’s minorities.
Chhattisgarh is home to an estimated 490,000 Christians, less than 2 percent of a total population of 33 million. The state hosts the second largest Roman Catholic Cathedral in Asia, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, located in Kunkuri, Jashpur District. For a community that small, in a state where anti-Christian violence already ranked second highest in India in 2025 with 177 documented incidents, church leaders fear the new law hands those seeking to persecute Christians both a legal cover and an institutional mechanism to do so.
India ranked 12th on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, up from 31st in 2013, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power.
The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, against non-Hindus has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Modi took power in May 2014, religious rights advocates say.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christians in Pakistan attacked to force withdrawal of rape case]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christians-in-pakistan-attacked-to-force-withdrawal-of-rape-case</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Home of Faisal Masih and Naveed Masih set ablaze in Chak 437-GB village, Faisalabad Division of Punjab Province on April 12, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christians’ True Spirit ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Home of Faisal Masih and Naveed Masih set ablaze in Chak 437-GB village, Faisalabad Division of Punjab Province on April 12, 2026. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:44:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Muslims in Pakistan accused of gang-raping a Christian girl attacked the victims’ relatives on Sunday (April 12) in an attempt to coerce the family to drop sexual assault charges, sources said.]]></description>
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Muslims in Pakistan accused of gang-raping a Christian girl attacked the victims’ relatives on Sunday (April 12) in an attempt to coerce the family to drop sexual assault charges, sources said.
The group injured two Catholic young men and later set fire to their home in Chak 437-GB village, Tehsil Samundri in the Faisalabad Division of Punjab Province, according to a police complaint filed on Monday (April 13).
Arshad Masih alleged that Zaman Shafique, along with five to six accomplices, assaulted his relatives Faisal Masih and Naveed Masih on Sunday (April 12), leaving them injured, according to the First Information Report (FIR). Masih stated that later at about midnight, the assailants returned and set fire to a thatched section of the family’s home.
The police complaint linked the attack to an ongoing criminal case registered last year over the gang-rape of a 14-year-old Christian girl, a cousin of the young men assaulted. Shafique and the suspects in the sexual assault case had been attempting to coerce the family to settle out of court, according to the FIR.
“My paternal uncle, Riaz Masih, had registered a case against Zaman Shafique and others for the gang-rape of his daughter,” Masih stated in the complaint registered with Samundri Saddar Police. “The accused had been using various pressure tactics to force us into reconciliation. When we refused, they attacked my cousins and later set fire to part of our house.”
Masih could not be reached for additional comment. A church official corroborated Masih’s account, describing a pattern of intimidation in the months following the filing of the rape case. The Rev. Khalil Maqsood, parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the village, said the suspects had repeatedly pressured the victim’s family to withdraw the sexual assault case.
“There are about 30 Christian families in this village, and the accused had publicly threatened that Christian homes would be burned if the victim’s family did not agree to a settlement,” Maqsood told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
He added that neighbors intervened during Sunday’s assault and helped rescue the injured young men, but the attackers returned later that night to carry out the arson.
Police responded after residents alerted them and registered a case, but none of the suspects has been arrested, as they have fled the area, Maqsood said.
Katherine Sapna, executive director of Christians’ True Spirit, a rights organization providing legal assistance to the Catholic family, said her group had also faced intimidation.
“The accused have repeatedly tried to pressure us into withdrawing legal support for the family,” Sapna told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “They issued threats over the phone and even came to our office on multiple occasions to intimidate us. We made it clear that we will not yield to such tactics.”
Sapna noted that the fire caused property damage but no fatalities. She said the attack is indicative of broader challenges faced by religious minorities seeking justice in Pakistan.
“This incident underscores the social pressure, insecurity and legal obstacles that many Christian families encounter when pursuing cases involving serious crimes,” she said. “While we appreciate the police response in registering the FIR, it is critical that the authorities follow through with arrests and ensure accountability.”
Human rights advocates have long raised concerns about the vulnerability of minority communities in Pakistan, particularly in cases involving sexual violence, forced conversions and blasphemy allegations. Victims and their families often face intimidation aimed at forcing informal settlements outside the legal system.
In its 2026 World Watch List, Christian support group Open Doors ranked Pakistan eighth among countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The report cited factors including systemic discrimination, mob violence, forced conversions and gaps in law enforcement as contributing to the risks faced by minority communities in Pakistan.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Bill to protect against forced conversions/marriages advances in Pakistan]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bill-to-protect-against-forced-conversions-marriages-advances-in-pakistan</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bill-to-protect-against-forced-conversions-marriages-advances-in-pakistan</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development meeting on April 13, 2026.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Punjab Assembly Facebook ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development meeting on April 13, 2026. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:37:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A key committee of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Assembly on Monday (April 13) reportedly approved legislation that would help protect Christian and other minority-religion girls targeted for forced conversion and illegal marriage.]]></description>
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A key committee of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Assembly on Monday (April 13) reportedly approved legislation that would help protect Christian and other minority-religion girls targeted for forced conversion and illegal marriage.
The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development approved the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 despite objections from some members, including its chairperson, according to media reports. Punjab Gov. Sardar Saleem Haider promulgated the ordinance on Feb. 11, putting it into force for 90 days, and without parliamentary approval it is set to lapse in May.
The committee, chaired by Pir Ashraf Rasool, reviewed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, and following its endorsement, the draft bill has been referred to the provincial local government secretary to finalize implementation rules. It will subsequently be presented before the Punjab Assembly for approval.
During deliberations, committee members said the proposed law aims to curb underage marriages, eliminate gender-based disparities and strengthen child protection mechanisms in the province.
Rasool and committee member Zulfiqar Shah, however, opposed the bill, arguing that it contravenes constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. In a written submission, Rasool said the legislation conflicts with provisions allowing citizens to freely practice their religion. He also maintained that, under Islamic jurisprudence, marriage is permissible upon reaching puberty and called for exceptions to be included in the law, citing socio-economic pressures on low-income families.
“Poor parents often marry their daughters early due to lack of resources and concerns about their safety,” Rasool told Dawn newspaper.
Other committee members rejected the proposed exceptions, warning that such provisions could open the door to abuse and undermine the law’s intent. Rasool said he intends to challenge the bill in the assembly by introducing amendments.
Criminalizing Child Marriage
The Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 proposes raising the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 for both males and females, replacing provisions of the nearly century-old Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, which set the age at 18 for men and 16 for women.
The bill classifies child marriage as a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offense. Individuals who contract, facilitate, or promote such marriages could face up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500).
Marriage registrars, or nikah khawans, would be prohibited from registering marriages involving minors. Violations could result in up to one year in prison and fines of 100,000 rupees ($357).
Adults who marry minors would face two to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fines of up to 500,000 rupees ($1,787). Cohabitation resulting from a child marriage would be treated as child abuse, punishable by five to seven years in prison and a minimum fine of 1 million rupees, regardless of purported consent.
The legislation also criminalizes child trafficking linked to marriage and imposes liability on parents or guardians who facilitate or fail to prevent underage marriages. Such offenses carry penalties of two to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 500,000 rupees.
All cases under the proposed law would be tried in Courts of Session and concluded within 90 days, a measure aimed at expediting justice.
Advocacy groups have long called for raising the legal marriage age for girls to 18, arguing that the previous legal framework discriminated on the basis of gender and exposed adolescent girls, especially those from vulnerable Christian and Hindu minority communities, to forced marriages and abuse.
Efforts to reform the 1929 law have faced resistance from some religious leaders and political actors. The Council of Islamic Ideology, a constitutional advisory body, has previously opposed setting a statutory minimum age, arguing that Islamic law does not prescribe a fixed age aligned with modern legal standards.
In April 2024, the Lahore High Court, in a ruling by Justice Shahid Karim, struck down the gender-based age distinction in the 1929 law as unconstitutional, declaring the provision setting 16 as the minimum age for girls to be without legal effect. The court directed the provincial government to amend the law accordingly.
Subsequent reform proposals, including stricter age-verification mechanisms through national identity records, were debated through 2025 but were not enacted prior to the promulgation of the ordinance earlier this year.
Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Korea bioethics forum warns abortion becoming profit-driven industry]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/korea-bioethics-forum-warns-abortion-becoming-profit-driven-industry</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/korea-bioethics-forum-warns-abortion-becoming-profit-driven-industry</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dr. Jang Ji-young, secretary general of the Seongsan Institute for Bioethics, presents on the commercialization of abortion during the institute’s April colloquium in Seoul on April 11, outlining concerns over the growing role of pharmaceutical and distri]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Dr. Jang Ji-young, secretary general of the Seongsan Institute for Bioethics, presents on the commercialization of abortion during the institute’s April colloquium in Seoul on April 11, outlining concerns over the growing role of pharmaceutical and distribution networks in medication abortion. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:27:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Abortion in South Korea is increasingly being shaped by commercial forces and global pharmaceutical interests, according to a presentation at an April colloquium hosted by a Seoul-based bioethics institute, which warned that the growing use of medication abortion reflects a broader shift from a medical and ethical issue to a profit-driven industry.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Abortion in South Korea is increasingly being shaped by commercial forces and global pharmaceutical interests, according to a presentation at an April colloquium hosted by a Seoul-based bioethics institute, which warned that the growing use of medication abortion reflects a broader shift from a medical and ethical issue to a profit-driven industry.
The April colloquium of the Seongsan Institute for Bioethics, held April 11 at Yongsan Station in Seoul, featured Dr. Jang Ji-young, the institute’s secretary general and a physician at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. Speaking on “How does abortion become an industry? The U.S. case and legislative tasks for Korea,” Jang argued that abortion—particularly medication abortion—has evolved into a complex economic system involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and policy advocates.
“Abortion was once a matter of personal belief, choice and bioethics,” Jang said. “Now it has become a composite economic structure combining public funding and commercial profit.”
Jang described a multi-layered industry in which large abortion service providers expand nationwide through chain models to achieve economies of scale, while pharmaceutical companies and distributors maximize profits through telemedicine and mail-order systems. She added that policy lobbying groups promote deregulation under a “rights framework,” further enabling the expansion of the sector.
The shift toward medication abortion, she said, has been central to this transformation. In the United States, 63% of abortions are now carried out using medication rather than surgery, a change that reduces fixed costs and allows for broader distribution through remote prescriptions and postal delivery.
“This bypasses time and space constraints and minimizes labor costs, leading to maximized corporate profits,” Jang said. “It is not simply about increasing patient convenience, but a deliberate industrial choice to establish a business model capable of unlimited expansion.”
Jang pointed to regulatory changes in the United States—such as expanded eligibility for abortion drugs in 2016, the approval of telemedicine prescriptions and mail delivery in 2021, and the inclusion of large pharmacy chains in 2023—as key drivers of rapid market growth. The global medication abortion market, she said, is estimated at $4.4 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $8 billion by 2035.
She argued that the industry’s profitability is driven by significant disparities between production costs and consumer prices. While manufacturing costs for abortion drugs are estimated at $1 to $4, supply prices to medical providers range from $75 to $100, and patients may be charged more than $500.
“Medication abortion has become a stable pharmaceutical market that realizes a massive margin structure,” Jang said, adding that companies benefit financially while avoiding responsibility for post-treatment outcomes.
“Although it is justified through the public discourse of ‘women’s rights,’ in reality it disperses medical responsibility and shifts risk onto women,” she said. “Complications such as incomplete abortion or hemorrhage are borne entirely by the individual, while the public health system absorbs the social costs.”
Jang challenged widely cited claims that medication abortion is significantly safer than childbirth, arguing that such conclusions rely on flawed comparisons and incomplete data. She said that complication rates reported by U.S. regulators—often cited as below 0.5%—are based on voluntary reporting, while analyses of insurance claims data show rates as high as 10.9%.
“In the United Kingdom, official figures reported only a few hundred complications, but freedom of information requests revealed more than 11,000 cases,” she said. “The claim that medication abortion is safer than full-term childbirth is only possible due to systematic omissions in data.”
Turning to South Korea, Jang said the country remains in a prolonged legislative vacuum following the Constitutional Court’s 2019 ruling that found the country’s abortion law unconstitutional. In the absence of updated legislation, she said, abortion services have become increasingly commercialized, with clinics openly advertising procedures and pricing.
She cited examples of advertisements promoting same-day abortion procedures up to six weeks of pregnancy for about 500,000 won ($370), as well as claims that even late-term abortions cannot be prosecuted under current legal conditions.
Jang also highlighted the role of pharmaceutical companies preparing to enter the Korean market. She said Hyundai Pharmaceutical secured exclusive domestic rights in 2020 to distribute the abortion drug Mifegymiso through an agreement with U.K.-based Linepharma International. The company already holds a dominant share of the emergency contraceptive market in South Korea and has built extensive distribution networks.
“If legalized, an immediate monopoly market entry structure will be completed,” she said, adding that companies have already identified abortion drugs as a “new core growth driver” and are building infrastructure ahead of regulatory approval.
Jang warned that introducing medication abortion without clear legal and ethical frameworks could accelerate the commercialization of medicine, weaken professional standards and shift risks onto individuals.
“The pharmaceutical market is moving preemptively without waiting for policy,” she said. “If introduced under these conditions, public health safeguards could be dismantled, with costs ultimately borne by women and the public healthcare system.”
She described developments in the United States as a cautionary example for South Korea, urging lawmakers to establish what she called “three principles of respect for life”: legal protection of life, safeguards against medical commercialization and protection of professional ethics and conscience.
Jang also addressed ongoing legislative discussions, saying “abortion policy must not become a growth strategy for a specific industry. The most urgent national task is to establish firm legislation that ensures clear accountability, data transparency, and prioritizes both life and women’s safety.”
She further called for revisions to South Korea’s Maternal and Child Health Act to explicitly include the fetus as a protected subject, remove provisions permitting abortion and strengthen support systems such as delivery infrastructure and intensive care for high-risk pregnancies.
“No legislation that harms life, including the introduction of medication abortion, should be included in the Maternal and Child Health Act,” she said.
This report is based on original reporting by Christian Today Korea.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Bill seeks to rewrite colonial-era Christian marriage law in Pakistan’s Punjab province]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bill-seeks-to-rewrite-colonial-era-christian-marriage-law-in-pakistans-punjab-province</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bill-seeks-to-rewrite-colonial-era-christian-marriage-law-in-pakistans-punjab-province</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[A. S. John]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[File photo of the Punjab Assembly building in Lahore, where lawmakers are expected to table proposed legislation aimed at protecting minority communal properties.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ File photo of the Punjab Assembly building in Lahore. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan’s Punjab province has introduced a bill to raise the minimum legal age of marriage for Christian girls and boys to 18, in a move aimed at overhauling the 153-year-old colonial-era Christian Marriage Act of 1872.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan’s Punjab province has introduced a bill to raise the minimum legal age of marriage for Christian girls and boys to 18, in a move aimed at overhauling the 153-year-old colonial-era Christian Marriage Act of 1872.
At the federal level, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2024, on July 10 last year, raising the legal marriage age to 18. However, the law applies only to the Islamabad Capital Territory, as legislative authority over minority affairs was devolved to provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, requiring provincial legislatures to enact their own reforms.
The proposed “Christian Marriage Act Bill, 2026” was tabled in the Punjab Assembly by Falbous Christopher, a provincial legislator and chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, as a private member’s bill.
If enacted, the legislation would set the minimum marriage age at 18 for both men and women, replacing the existing thresholds of 16 for boys and 13 for girls under the current law. It also requires both parties to be Christian for a marriage to be solemnized under the act, revising the existing provision that allows unions where only one party professes the Christian faith.
The bill proposes a range of administrative reforms, including the formal registration of Christian marriages within official state systems. For the first time, union councils and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) would be legally mandated to register such marriages, a step expected to improve access to legal protections, inheritance rights and identity documentation for Christian couples.
It also removes outdated restrictions—such as the prohibition on conducting wedding ceremonies after 6 p.m.—and expands the pool of authorized officiants. Under the proposed changes, any pastor affiliated with a government-registered church and holding a recognized theological qualification would be permitted to solemnize marriages, broadening authority beyond the historically recognized Catholic and Anglican denominations.
The draft further clarifies the legal definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, replacing the more ambiguous “two persons” phrasing in the original statute.
The initiative comes amid wider efforts to reform Christian personal laws in Pakistan.
On April 7, the Punjab government constituted a 37-member technical committee under its Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department to review gaps in family and inheritance laws affecting Christians, with particular emphasis on safeguarding women and minors.
Parallel discussions are underway in Sindh province, where a three-member committee has been formed to examine potential amendments to the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 and the Divorce Act of 1869. During a recent meeting chaired by provincial adviser Giyanchand Essarani, participants highlighted discrepancies between outdated personal laws and current statutory standards, including the low minimum age of marriage.
Christian leaders and lawmakers in Punjab have welcomed the bill, describing it as a long-overdue step toward aligning personal laws with contemporary human rights standards.
Ejaz Alam Augustine, a former provincial minister and current member of the Punjab Assembly, said the existing legal framework had failed to keep pace with present-day realities.
“These colonial-era laws were not designed to address the needs and vulnerabilities of today’s Christian community,” Augustine said. “In practice, they have created gaps that leave families, particularly women and young girls, exposed to legal uncertainty and, in some cases, exploitation. Reform is essential to ensure equal protection, dignity and access to justice.”
He said momentum for reform had intensified following recent court rulings involving underage Christian girls.
“Civil society has long called for change, but recent judgments have brought a new sense of urgency,” he said. “Provisions allowing marriages where only one party is Christian have been invoked in court in ways that complicate efforts by families to challenge the marriages of minor girls.”
Advocates have also raised concerns about the Christian divorce framework, noting that it places disproportionate burdens on women, offers limited safeguards against domestic abuse and suffers from weak enforcement of maintenance and alimony provisions.
Legal ambiguity persists in areas such as child custody, where courts often rely on general guardianship laws due to the absence of a comprehensive, codified family law for Christians.
In a significant ruling on March 7, the Lahore High Court held that “desertion” can constitute valid grounds for the dissolution of a Christian marriage if a couple has lived separately for at least two years, setting aside earlier lower court decisions that had dismissed such claims, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.
The Christian Divorce Act of 1869 provides limited grounds for men seeking divorce and requires husbands to prove adultery by their wives to obtain dissolution. It also mandates that the alleged adulterer be named as a co-respondent—procedural requirements that have historically made it difficult to pursue divorce and have led to cases being dismissed on technical grounds.
Human rights advocates and Christian leaders have long criticized these provisions as outdated and discriminatory, arguing that they effectively force couples to level damaging allegations of adultery in order to end broken marriages.
Katherine Sapna, executive director of the Christians’ True Spirit legal aid organization, said the reform process could open space for broader intra-community dialogue.
“This presents an important opportunity for Christian denominations to engage on sensitive but pressing issues,” Sapna said. “Marriage, divorce and remarriage remain among the most common sources of dispute within families, and a clearer, more coherent legal framework could help address longstanding pastoral and social challenges.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian woman in Pakistan told to convert and marry or be killed]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-woman-in-pakistan-told-to-convert-and-marry-or-be-killed</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-woman-in-pakistan-told-to-convert-and-marry-or-be-killed</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International / Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Laiba Javed, threatened with death if she does not convert to Islam and submit to marriage.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, courtesy of family ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Laiba Javed, threatened with death if she does not convert to Islam and submit to marriage. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Police in Pakistan on Easter Sunday (April 5) arrested a Muslim accused of threatening to kill a Christian woman if she refused to convert to Islam and marry him, according to her family.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Police in Pakistan on Easter Sunday (April 5) arrested a Muslim accused of threatening to kill a Christian woman if she refused to convert to Islam and marry him, according to her family.
Imran Masih of Chak 6/11-L village near Harappa, Sahiwal District, said his 20-year-old niece, Laiba Javed, received a handwritten note from Rehman Irfan on April 2 demanding that she convert to Islam and marry him by April 15. In the note, Irfan warned that she would be killed if she refused, Masih said.
Masih said Javed, who works in Lahore, had returned to her ancestral village to celebrate Easter with relatives when she received the note.
“Irfan, who is a former schoolmate of Laiba, came to our house with two armed accomplices when she was alone,” Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “He handed her a letter at gunpoint stating that he loved her and would go to any extent to marry her after converting her.”
Javed immediately informed her family, who approached police. Masih said officers initially advised restraint due to Easter celebrations.
Tensions escalated on Easter Sunday (April 5) when a cousin of the suspect allegedly disrupted a sunrise procession, prompting the family to again contact authorities. This time, police responded and raided the cousin’s residence.
“The police went to arrest his cousin but also found Irfan there and took him into custody,” Masih said. “He has been booked for issuing threats, but we fear he could be released on bail and continue to harass us.”
Masih said Javed has since left the village due to safety concerns, though they remain worried about her security. Her mother died a few years ago and her father works as a farm laborer, he added.
Ejaz Alam Augustine, a member of the Punjab Assembly and former provincial minister for human rights and minority affairs, said weak enforcement of laws continues to embolden perpetrators targeting girls from religious minority communities.
He also criticized a Feb. 11 ruling by Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court that upheld the marriage of a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, to a 30-year-old Muslim who had allegedly abducted her. The court ruled that Islamic law permits Muslim men to marry women from Ahl-e-Kitab (People of the Book), a decision Augustine said has heightened fears among minority communities.
“This judgment has created a sense of impunity,” Augustine said. “Many now believe it has put the security of Christian girls at greater risk.”
Rights groups have long warned of the vulnerability of women and girls from minority religions in 96-percent Muslim Pakistan to forced conversions and marriages.
At least 515 cases of abduction and forced conversion involving minority women and girls were reported between 2021 and 2025, according to a study by the Lahore-based Center for Social Justice. Hindu girls accounted for 69 percent (353 cases), followed by Christian girls at 31 percent (160 cases), while two cases involved Sikh victims.
More than half of the victims were between 14 and 18 years old, and about 20 percent were under 14, the report found.
In Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, it ranked Pakistan eighth among countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, citing systemic discrimination, mob violence, forced conversions and weak law enforcement.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[New book warns of leadership and accountability crises in Pakistan’s Protestant Church]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-warns-of-leadership-and-accountability-crises-in-pakistans-protestant-church</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-warns-of-leadership-and-accountability-crises-in-pakistans-protestant-church</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bishop of Lahore Rt. Rev. Nadeem Kamran unveils the book by Anthony Aijaz Lamuel during its launch in Lahore, highlighting calls for accountability and renewal within the Church of Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Bishop of Lahore Rt. Rev. Nadeem Kamran unveils the book by Anthony Aijaz Lamuel during its launch in Lahore, highlighting calls for accountability and renewal within the Church of Pakistan. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Anthony Aijaz Lamuel addresses clergy, theologians and lay attendees at the Lahore launch event, outlining concerns over leadership, governance and the future direction of the Church of Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Anthony Aijaz Lamuel addresses clergy, theologians and lay attendees at the Lahore launch event, outlining concerns over leadership, governance and the future direction of the Church of Pakistan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:10:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A book calling for accountability and renewal within the Protestant church in Pakistan was launched in Lahore, as church leaders and theologians warned of deepening institutional challenges confronting the country’s largest Protestant denomination.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A book calling for accountability and renewal within the Protestant church in Pakistan was launched in Lahore, as church leaders and theologians warned of deepening institutional challenges confronting the country’s largest Protestant denomination.
Titled “Church in Pakistan: Origin, Challenges and Suggested Reforms,” the book by Anthony Aijaz Lamuel was formally unveiled by Bishop of Lahore Diocese, Rt Reverend Nadeem Kamran at the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection on Monday, March 23, drawing clergy, academics and lay Christians from across the city.
Lamuel, a veteran church administrator and Bible scholar, has served as general secretary of the Synod of the Church of Pakistan and held key positions within its Lahore Diocese. He also spent more than four decades working with the Pakistan Bible Society, an experience that gave him broad exposure to diverse Christian denominations and ecclesial practices across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Lamuel said the book was written at a time when the church is “facing problems falling into crisis one after the other,” underscoring the urgency of both spiritual renewal and structural reform. He emphasized that the church must critically examine its internal dynamics if it is to remain relevant and faithful to its mission.
The 16-chapter volume combines biblical teaching, historical analysis and contemporary critique in a structured and accessible manner. Early chapters explore the theological foundations of the church and draw lessons from early Christianity, while later sections examine the development of Christianity in South Asia and the evolution of the Church in Pakistan.
The concluding chapters present a set of proposed reforms based on qualitative research, including 46 interviews with clergy, lay members, students, lawyers and journalists, offering a broad cross-section of perspectives.
Concerns over leadership & accountability
A central concern highlighted in the book, and echoed by several speakers at the launch ceremony, was the concentration of authority within church leadership and its implications for governance, transparency and institutional credibility.
Drawing on interview findings, Lamuel notes that many church members perceive leaders as being more focused on institutional control, personal status and building fortunes than on service and pastoral responsibility. He warns that such tendencies risk undermining the church’s moral authority and weakening its witness in society.
Citing British historian Lord Acton, the author underscores the dangers of unchecked power, arguing that meaningful reform must include stronger mechanisms for transparency, accountability and shared leadership. He calls for a return to servant leadership rooted in biblical principles and modeled on humility and service.
Lamuel further emphasizes the role of the church as a spiritual community, invoking the words of third-century Christian theologian Cyprian of Carthage to stress the importance of belonging to and actively participating in the life of the church. “You cannot have God for your Father unless you have the church for your Mother,” Cyprian famously stated, a theme the author uses to highlight the centrality of the church in nurturing faith.

Church leaders and theologians attending the launch described the book as both timely and necessary, particularly in light of the challenges currently facing Christian institutions in Pakistan.
Dr. Liaquat Qaiser, principal of the Full Gospel Assemblies Theological Seminary, said the author had provided a strong biblical and theological framework while addressing contemporary issues with clarity and depth.
Rt. Rev. Irfan Jamil, former bishop of the Lahore Diocese, said the book offers a comprehensive treatment of the church’s biblical, theological and historical dimensions in an accessible and well-documented format.
Dr. Kenneth Pervaiz, assistant professor at Forman Christian College University, said Lamuel’s work effectively traces the development of Christianity in the subcontinent while identifying both institutional weaknesses and possible solutions grounded in research.
Dr. Julius Qaiser, director of the Open Theological Seminary, described the book as a “courageous and thought-provoking contribution” that addresses sensitive issues with analytical rigor and pastoral concern.
A timely book for reflection
The Church of Pakistan was established in 1970 as a united Protestant body, bringing together Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran traditions in an effort to promote Christian unity in the country.
Its origins lie in 19th-century missionary activity during British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent, when churches, schools and hospitals were established across the region. Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Protestant communities initially remained divided before moving toward unification, culminating in the formation of the Church of Pakistan as a national ecclesial body.
Today, the church oversees dioceses in major urban centers and continues to play a significant role in education, healthcare and social services, particularly among marginalized communities. At the same time, it operates within a broader context in which Christians often face social and legal challenges, adding further complexity to its institutional responsibilities.
However, internal governance and corruption issues, combined with external pressures, have intensified calls for reform within the church, making the themes addressed in Lamuel’s book particularly relevant.
A call to renewal
In his concluding remarks, Lamuel urged church leaders and members to embrace both institutional reform and spiritual renewal, calling on the church to reclaim its role as a faithful witness to Christian belief and practice in society.
“The church must move beyond internal divisions and focus on integrity, accountability and service,” he said, stressing the need for unity and purpose.
The book is expected to contribute to ongoing conversations within Pakistan’s Christian community and among international funding organizations about the future of the Church of Pakistan and the evolving role of faith-based institutions operating in challenging social and political environments.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Truck crashes into Easter procession in Pakistan, killing one and injuring dozens]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/truck-crashes-into-easter-procession-in-pakistan-killing-one-and-injuring-dozens</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/truck-crashes-into-easter-procession-in-pakistan-killing-one-and-injuring-dozens</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[At least 30 Christians were injured, many with bone fractures, when a truck crashed into an Easter sunrise procession on April 5 in Pakistan’s Punjab province.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ At least 30 Christians were injured, many with bone fractures, when a truck crashed into an Easter sunrise procession on April 5 in Pakistan’s Punjab province. ]]>
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:15:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[One Christian man was killed and at least 30 others were injured when a speeding truck crashed into an Easter sunrise procession in Wazirabad district in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Sunday (April 5), authorities and church officials said, as national leaders marked the holiday by praising Christians for their "admirable services" to the country.]]></description>
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One Christian man was killed and at least 30 others were injured when a speeding truck crashed into an Easter sunrise procession in Wazirabad district in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Sunday (April 5), authorities and church officials said, as national leaders marked the holiday by praising Christians for their "admirable services" to the country.
The incident occurred as more than 300 members of a local Catholic community took part in a candlelight procession en route to Easter morning prayers at a church in Maryamabad. The tragic incident cast a shadow over otherwise peaceful celebrations in Pakistan marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Father Shahrukh Nathaniel, a priest present at the scene, said participants had been singing hymns and lighting fireworks when a poultry-laden truck approached from the opposite direction and rammed into the procession.
“Our people were celebrating peacefully, offering prayers and singing, when suddenly this truck came at speed and caused devastation,” Fr Nathaniel said. “Several people were run over, while others were struck and thrown aside. Many sustained serious injuries.”
According to local media reports, those with minor injuries received first aid at the scene, while approximately 25-30 victims were transported to Gujranwala Medical College Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
One of the injured, identified as Irfan Masih, succumbed to his injuries on Monday night. At least four others remain in critical condition.
The truck driver, identified as Muhammad Bilal, fled the scene, while police detained his assistant, Abdul Hanan. Authorities have registered a case against the absconding driver under Sections 337G and 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 99 of the Punjab Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965.
Preliminary investigations suggest that excessive speed may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, although police cautioned that it was too early to reach definitive conclusions.
“We are examining all aspects of the case,” a police official said. “At this stage, there is no indication that the incident was intentional, but the investigation is ongoing.”
The incident has raised concerns among community leaders and human rights advocates over safety arrangements during public religious gatherings, particularly for minority communities.
In a statement, Punjab’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, said the provincial government was ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured and would bear all associated treatment costs.
“The government stands with the affected families in this difficult time,” Arora said.
The matter was also raised in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, where Christian lawmaker Falbous Christopher called for a thorough investigation and stronger protection measures during minority religious events.
“Four Christians remain in critical condition, while many others have sustained fractures to their arms and legs,” Christopher said. “It is deeply unfortunate that adequate safety and security arrangements were not in place. We demand accountability, proper medical care for the injured, and financial compensation to support victims during their recovery.”
Easter, one of the most significant observances in the Christian calendar, is widely marked across Pakistan with special prayers, processions and community gatherings. However, such public events have at times raised security concerns in a country where religious minorities have faced sporadic violence and discrimination.
Pakistan's leadership extends Easter greetings
Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended Easter greetings to the Christian community, commending its contributions to the country’s development and emphasizing the importance of interfaith harmony.
In his message, President Zardari praised the Christian community for its “continued role in national development,” particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare, defense and social services.
He said Easter conveyed universal values of “compassion, hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death,” adding that these principles should guide societal interactions in Pakistan.“Christian men and women serve with dedication in our schools, hospitals, public services and armed forces,” the president said. “Their contributions are integral to the functioning of our society and deserve recognition and respect.”
Zardari also reiterated the state’s responsibility to uphold equal rights for all citizens, referencing the vision of Pakistan’s Founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah for a country founded on equality and freedom regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“I reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring the protection of life, property, and dignity of all communities,” he said. “We must continue to foster an environment of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”
Prime Minister Sharif, in his separate message, extended greetings to Christians both in Pakistan and around the world, acknowledging their “admirable services” across various professional fields.
“The Christian community continues to play an active and invaluable role in Pakistan’s economic and social development,” he said. “In today’s challenging global environment, the message of peace inherent in all religions is more important than ever.”Sharif emphasized that safeguarding the religious, economic and educational rights of minorities remained a key priority for his government. He also underscored the importance of unity and collective effort in building a harmonious and inclusive society.
“Religious harmony and our multicultural fabric reflect the strength of our nation,” he said. “Let us renew our commitment to work together, with sincerity and dedication, for the progress and prosperity of our country.”]]></content:encoded>
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