Husband and wife, caretakers of a gurdwara, were ambushed and shot dead. Investigators have not ruled out a religiously motivated murder. Concern amongst the Sikh and Hindu minority communities. Fr Shakeel Gulzar: an attack on peace, religious harmony and humanity.
The 2026 edition of the prestigious Ludovic Trarieux Prize was awarded to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, two lawyers held in a Rawalpindi prison since last January for publishing posts expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun peoples and criticising the country’s military. For human rights organisations, their case is a symbol of restrictions on freedom of expression.
Last week, the authorities evicted security staff and residents from Forman Christian College University. They were given “24 hours” to remove all property and historical artefacts. The administration is seeking a legal solution to retain control of the building. Christian activist: “The government has hurt the community’s feelings”.
The death of a shopkeeper hit by a police bullet has sparked unrest in Rawalakot. At the root of the tensions is the decision by the Islamabad government to outlaw the Joint Awami Action Committee, a group calling for improved public services and local political reforms. Despite the crackdown, a protest march has been announced and is expected to begin tomorrow.
The competition was held last week in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The young athlete from Karachi won the 60kg Muay Boran category. “I won because of the prayers of my parents and my community,” he told AsiaNews. He was able to participate thanks to funds raised among his friends and family. Now he is appealing for a sponsor to support him on his future endeavours.
The provincial government has postponed the decision to restore names from the colonial era following criticism on social media and from conservative circles. For some, it is merely an effort to preserve history; for others, it raises sensitive issues regarding national identity and the significance of Pakistan’s post-1947 narrative. Behind the controversy lies a broader clash over governance.
