Salem-News.com Pakistan articles Page 8

Man of Letter and Spirit

As every Pakistani knows damned well, Christians are among the most downtrodden and vulnerable people in Pakistan, especially since the passage of the despicable blasphemy law during the Zia ul Haq dictatorship.

(ISLAMABAD) - The life of the slum settlers is perhaps the most heart-wrenching thing that I have ever encountered...

I have had the privilege of traveling to many places, but in all of my visits, I have never encountered poverty like this – streets flowing with open sewage, garbage rotting everywhere.

Constitution Avenue Will Remain Quiet Until you Sleep

Let us face the realities that haunt Pakistan in real time.

(ISLAMABAD) - The distribution is not absolutely equal among the whole population, thus, demarcate among various socioeconomic groups of a country.

One of the worst outcomes of income inequality is poverty, considered to be fatal for any nation’s development because poverty breeds more poverty which engulfs the whole nation.

Pakistan: Renew Death Penalty Moratorium, Then Abolish Capital Punishment

According to official figures, Pakistan has more than 7,000 prisoners on death row, one of the largest populations of prisoners facing execution in the world.

(YORK, UK) - Pakistan’s government should revoke its decision to resume executions and renew its moratorium on the death penalty, Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com said in a letter to the Pakistani government today.

Pakistan has had a moratorium on the death penalty since June 2008, with only the execution of Muhammad Hussain in November 2012 following a court martial.

Insensitivity of Pakistani Christian Politicians and Civil Society Leaders

There have been many wake-up calls, but Pakistani Christian politicians/religious leaders have gone into a long snooze.

(ISLAMABAD) - The PPP government had declared August 11 as minorities’ day in 2009 by the effort of then minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated in the country’s capital in 2011.

The day signifies Quaid-e-Azam’s speech to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 in which he had said, “You may belong to any religion, caste or creed – that has nothing to do with business of the State.”

Between Heaven and Hell

More than 25 million Pakistani Christians are living below poverty line.

(ISLAMABAD) - The Bible shows that there are two great commandments. The first commandment is to love God with all our being. The second commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves. So how do we show that we love our neighbors?

Jesus said, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Afghan Peace Talks to Resume in the Near Future: Chaudhry

“We believe that close engagement between Pakistan and the Afghan government could help achieve the objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan”

(KABUL) - The Foreign Office officials of Pakistan on Thursday announced that Islamabad is optimistic that the stalled Afghan peace process will be revived soon as differences between key stakeholders narrow down over the Afghan Taliban’s office in Doha.

Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, spokesman for the Pakistan Office said that the only achieve and stability in the region is through reconciliation between Kabul and Taliban group.

Christian Couple Arrested in Gojra in Blasphemy Case

The petitioner says a blasphemous text was sent to him from a mobile number.

(ISLAMABAD) - Sajjad Masih was convicted in a blasphemy case and sent to jail for life, and hardly a week later, another blasphemy case is registered against a Christian couple in Gojra, a city in Punjab province.

Gojra is religiously sensitive, after 8 people were burned alive and about forty houses and a Church set ablaze by a mob in 2009.

Pakistan`s Burning Neighbourhoods For How Long?

Christian leadership needs to put their act together for the collective good of the community instead of following a divisive course.

(ISLAMABAD) - Another victim of the blasphemy law was being punished. According to the BBC news, Sajjad Masih was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of two hundred thousand rupees for sending blasphemous text messages to Muslim clerics to seek revenge from his ex-fiancée in Gojra.

Sajjad Masih, a resident of Pakpattan district, was arrested in December, 2011.

Shelters for Poor in the Capital - Life in the Sordid

A report compiled by the local organization shows continuous increase in the number of “katchi Abadis” or slums, in Federal Capital

(ISLAMABAD) - Slum settlements (katchi abadis) in the capital city are a challenge to the authorities concerned and they appear feeble to find a lasting solution to this sensitive issue.

Besides the inhabitant are living miserable lives in absence of basic necessities such as clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity and gas etc.

Apex Court Support IHC Decision in Rimsha Case

Announcement sends a positive image of Pakistan in the international community that there is justice for all and that society has risen up for justice and tolerance.

(ISLAMABAD) - Supreme Court of Pakistan discharged the appeal filed against the decision of Islamabad High Court (IHC) quashment of Rimsha case here on Tuesday.

During the hearing, the bench consisting of honorable Justice Tasaduq Hussain Gillani and Justice Nasir ul Malik ordered to dismiss an application filed against the girl (Rimsha) accused of blasphemy.