Pakistan

| INDIA – PAKISTAN

India confirms the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty amid worsening relations with Pakistan. But various politicians, former diplomats, and religious leaders from both countries have signed an appeal to reopen negotiations on Kashmir and rebuild bilateral relations.

by Shafique Khokhar

Convicted for the death of a soldier during a protest in Gwadar in 2024, the leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee plans to appeal. Human rights groups lament the lack of transparency in the trial and fear new tensions in the province, where the local ethnic group has challenged Islamabad and foreign economic interests.

| 23/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Shafique Khokhar

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.

| 19/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Shafique Khokhar

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.

| 17/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Shafique Khokhar

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”.

| 15/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Shafique Khokhar

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.

| 08/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
by Shafique Khokhar

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.

| 06/06/2026
| PAKISTAN
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”