The unusual ‘exchange’ between the prelates of the two episcopal sees is linked to certain accusations (which proved unfounded) that in the summer of 2024 led to the appointment of an apostolic administrator in the Archdiocese of Punjab. The faithful hope that this decision will help to revive the life of the local Church, encouraging everyone to participate.

21-year-old Marcus Masih died on 4 March at the farm where he worked. The owners spoke of ‘suicide’, but there are clear signs of violence on the body. The community takes to the streets and demands justice, but the police report them for obstructing traffic. The family is under pressure to avoid trial and prison for the suspects.

A group of well-known Pakistani women's rights activists were stopped by police, who did not exempt the march from the ban on gatherings imposed because of the war. Meanwhile, the NGO Minority Concern recalls the tragedy of double discrimination against girls from minority groups, who are victims of forced conversions, abductions and lack of access to education and work.

The military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan comes as the International Monetary Fund is considering the third review of its aid programme to Islamabad. The closure of border crossings, rising inflation and the energy crisis exacerbated by the war in the Middle East risk undermining an already fragile economic recovery.

Pakistani rockets continue to strike Taliban political and military targets in Afghanistan, with the UN reporting at least 66,000 people displaced and dozens of civilians killed. Pakistan also faces anger from its own Shia community following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Renewed fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban is further exacerbating the precarious situation of families registered as refugees by the UNHCR but without a clear pathway to permanent resettlement. Often living incognito for security reasons, they fear repatriation to Afghanistan, under a government that persecutes them. One woman pleads: "I want my children to be able to grow up without fear.”