Articles by A. S. John
-
In a landmark move to foster inclusivity and ensure equitable representation within the public sector, the Pakistan government has launched a transformative initiative aimed at integrating minority communities, including Christians, more actively into the country’s civil service. -
Study finds Pakistani textbooks promote religious bias through excessive Islamic content, marginalize minorities
A review of school textbooks in Pakistan has found that problematic content remains embedded in the curriculum, contributing to the exclusion of religious minorities from the country’s social mainstream and national narrative. A study titled What Are We Teaching at School? by the Lahore-based research and advocacy organization Center for Social Justice (CSJ) reviewed 145 textbooks of compulsory subjects for Grades 1 through 10. -
Pakistan’s faith-based organizations among those hit by US funding freeze
Yasir Talib was writing a project report at his office in Lahore on Jan. 27 when he received disturbing news: the research and advocacy organization where he worked would not renew his contract due to a funding freeze announced by the Trump administration. Talib, project coordinator of the Minority Leadership Development (MLD) initiative at the Lahore-based Center for Social Justice (CSJ), which was financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), was among 10 employees laid -
Renewed tensions between regional and national leadership put unity of Church of Pakistan at risk
Reports of a recent dispute in the Church of Pakistan (CoP) about a regional bishop’s authority to appoint a successor without the involvement of the national leadership has revealed serious tensions that once again tear at the unity of the largest Protestant denomination in the country. -
Rocked by revelations of corruption and misgovernance, Pakistan's oldest seminary removes chairman
The chairman of the Board of Directors of Pakistan’s oldest seminary has been removed from his position over allegations of financial corruption and gross irregularities in a building project, and alleged illegal and unconstitutional actions that have damaged the operations of the institution once known as the cornerstone of theological education in the subcontinent, Christian Daily International has learnt. -
‘Failure motivated me to keep going’, says only Christian girl to pass Pakistan special federal exam
This Christmas has brought extraordinary joy to the family of Azam Mairaj as his daughter is the only female among five Christians who have cleared a competitive written examination especially conducted to fill 104 vacant positions in the federal government to fulfill the five percent minority quota. The 26-year-old’s educational journey is a unique story of hard work, determination and courage. -
Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik discredits Christianity in Pakistan visit, draws Christians' ire
Christian leaders in Pakistan have condemned Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s objectionable remarks about Christianity during his various public sermons in Pakistan when touring the country on a month-long state-sponsored visit in October. -
Christians among thousands of freelancers hit by installation of Pakistan's China-inspired internet firewall
Shumayle Falak makes a living for his family by freelancing on online marketplaces but a nationwide internet slowdown due to the installation of a firewall by the government has rendered him and hundreds of thousands of other Pakistani youths jobless, exacerbating their financial woes in the inflation-hit economy. -
Vatican removes Pakistani archbishop over corruption, sexual abuse charges
The Vatican has removed the archbishop of the biggest Catholic diocese in Pakistan after an inquiry found him at the center of financial corruption, illegal sale of church property, and involvement in sexual abuse, according to reliable sources. -
As Muslim athlete receives lavish welcome, Pakistani 'Power Girls' wonder: 'Is our Christian faith a barrier to recognition?'
Muslim athlete Arshad Nadeem who won a javelin gold medal at the Paris Olympics for a world record-breaking throw has received a hero’s welcome, sponsorships and significant financial rewards from the government. Three remarkable sisters who have etched their names in history by consistently winning gold medals for Pakistan in the sport of powerlifting, however, have watched the happenings with mixed feelings. -
Pakistan’s 2023 census ‘grossly undercounts’ Christians leading to fewer opportunities, say church leaders
Pakistani church leaders have expressed concerns over the recently released official results pertaining to the Christian population in Pakistan, claiming that the 2023 national population digital census has failed to effectively present the actual number of the minority community in the country. -
Crisis brewing in Anglican diocese in Pakistan amid corruption allegations
A serious crisis is brewing in the Diocese of Lahore of the Anglican Church of Pakistan after four directors of the Lahore Diocesan Trust Association (LDTA), which oversees missionary properties worth billions of rupees in Pakistan, moved the high court in Punjab Province alleging financial corruption and fraudulent practices in the organisation.
