Articles by A. S. John
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A Punjab Assembly committee has unanimously approved legislation to replace Pakistan’s over 150-year-old Christian marriage law, raising the minimum marriage age to 18 for both men and women. -
Christian family law bill in Pakistan’s Sindh sparks controversy as churches deny consent
Controversy has erupted over a proposed law to overhaul Christian family legislation in Pakistan’s Sindh province after the Catholic Church and the Church of Pakistan both denied giving their consent to the bill, despite claims that the two major denominations were consulted during its preparation. -
Pakistan's only church-run chartered university challenges govt repossession of historic hostel
Widespread criticism from Christian leaders, rights advocates, heritage conservationists, and alumni of Pakistan’s only church-run chartered university appears to have prompted the Punjab government to publicly rule out the demolition of a century-old university hostel at the center of a growing dispute over ownership, heritage preservation, and minority rights. -
Bill seeks to rewrite colonial-era Christian marriage law in Pakistan’s Punjab province
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. -
‘Where will we go?’ Eviction threat puts thousands of Christian families at risk in Pakistan’s capital
Thousands of Christian families living in informal settlements in Pakistan’s federal capital say they fear losing their homes after authorities issued verbal directives last week ordering residents to vacate government land, triggering protests and raising concern among human rights advocates about the possible displacement of an already marginalized community. -
In landmark verdict, Pakistan’s high court allows Christian couples to seek divorce on ground of desertion
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that Christian couples in Pakistan can seek dissolution of marriage on the ground of desertion if they have lived separately for at least two years, a decision that would significantly ease the divorce process for members of the minority community. -
Christian lawmaker in Pakistan proposes bill to safeguard church and minority assets
A Christian lawmaker in Punjab province in Pakistan has introduced sweeping legislation aimed at safeguarding properties belonging to Christians and other religious minorities, amid longstanding allegations of land encroachments, disputed titles, unauthorized sales and weak oversight. -
Pakistani Christians renew push for electoral reform on reserved minority seats
Christians in Pakistan have renewed calls for reforms to the country’s electoral system for religious minorities, arguing that the current mechanism for filling reserved seats deprives them of meaningful democratic representation in provincial and national legislatures. -
State-backed Christmas marks rare break from Pakistan’s history of extremism, minority exclusion
Government-sponsored Christmas celebrations in Pakistan this year marked a historic departure from the country’s decades-long struggle with religious extremism — where religious minorities, including Christians, have been targeted in bombings, mob attacks, and discriminatory practices. -
Amid challenges, Christmas celebrations highlight hope, constitutional promises for Pakistan’s Christians
As Christmas approaches, scenes of celebration unfolded in Pakistan’s courts and streets alike, offering moments of warmth and reflection for the minority Christians amid continuing challenges. -
Landmark petition seeks protection for Pakistan’s mostly Christian sanitation workers
The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has filed a landmark constitutional petition before the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), seeking an end to manual sewer cleaning – a practice that has claimed the lives of dozens of Christian and other sanitation workers over the years. -
Roma Riaz, first Pakistani Christian at Miss Universe, slams colorist and body-shaming trolls
Roma Riaz is used to being the “first,” but not to the kind of attention she received in the weeks leading up to the recent Miss Universe pageant held on Nov. 21. As the first Pakistani Christian to compete in the contest, the 27-year-old found herself at the center of an intense online debate.
