Pakistan

The Latest

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian Grotto in Pakistan.

Pakistani archbishop warns of surge in Christian girls kidnapped, forced into marriages

Sep 27, 2019

By CNA Staff

A Catholic bishop in Pakistan has warned of an increase in young Christian and Hindu girls being kidnapped, then forced... Read more

Residents wade through flood waters in Karachi, Pakistan July 31, 2019.

Amid extreme flooding in Pakistan, Catholic volunteers step up

Aug 8, 2019

A 52-year-old Caritas volunteer helped rescue more than two dozen families from a recent flood in Karachi, Pakistan.  Read more

Ashiq Mesih and Eisham Ashiq, Asia Bibi's husband and daughter in Rome April 15, 2015.

Asia Bibi leaves Pakistan, arrives in Canada

May 8, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Asia Bibi, the Catholic wife and mother who spent 9 years on death row on blasphemy charges in Pakistan, has... Read more

Sam Brownback.

Brownback says Pakistan willing to improve religious freedom record

Feb 26, 2019

The U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom has applauded Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for showing a... Read more

Ashiq Mesih and Eisham Ashiq, Asia Bibi's husband and daughter, speak to CNA in Rome, April 15, 2015.

Court dismisses challenge to Asia Bibi blasphemy acquittal

Jan 29, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A petition to overturn last year’s acquittal of blasphemy charges against Catholic wife and mother Asia Bibi was dismissed by... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

Pakistani province announces plan to protect religious minorities

Dec 13, 2018

A Pakistani official announced this week a new “Minorities Empowerment Package” and the creation of a task force to ensure... Read more

 Pope Francis meets with the "Shahbaz Bhatti Mission" association Nov. 30, 2018.

Francis praises witness of Pakistani Catholic killed in 2011

Nov 30, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Servant of God Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic politician from Pakistan who was killed in 2011, is a witness of how... Read more

Venice illuminated red in remembrance of persecuted Christians.

Venice illuminated in red for Asia Bibi, persecuted Christians

Nov 21, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

To express solidarity with persecuted Christians, including Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman recently acquitted of blasphemy, the city of Venice... Read more

A protest in Lahore on November 2, 2018 following the Pakistan Supreme Court decision on Asia Bibi.

Catholic mother Asia Bibi moved from prison to Islamabad amid death threats

Nov 8, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Pakistani Catholic Asia Bibi was released from prison and moved to Islamabad late Wednesday as her family seeks asylum due... Read more

Ashiq Mesih and Eisham Ashiq, Asia Bibi's husband and daughter, speak to CNA in Rome, April 15, 2015.

Asia Bibi's husband begs US to offer asylum

Nov 5, 2018

The husband of the Pakistani Catholic woman who was recently acquitted of blasphemy charges is asking several Western nations to... Read more

Ashiq Mesih and Eisham Ashiq, Asia Bibi's husband and daughter, speak to CNA in Rome, April 15, 2015.

Pakistan Supreme Court acquits Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges

Oct 31, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Pakistan Supreme Court Wednesday overturned the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Roman Catholic woman convicted of blasphemy in... Read more

Ashiq Mesih and Eisham Ashiq, Asia Bibi's husband and daughter, speak to CNA in Rome, April 15, 2015.

Pakistani Supreme Court reserves judgement on Asia Bibi blasphemy case

Oct 8, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has reserved judgement on the verdict of Asia Bibi, a Roman Catholic woman who was sentenced to... Read more

Imran Khan, prime minister of Pakistan, speaks at a 2012 meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Pakistani scrutiny for multiple NGOs could close Catholic Relief Services

Oct 8, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

Catholic Relief Services is among the 18 international organizations ordered closed by Pakistan’s new government without explanation. The move follows... Read more

Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imarn Khan.

Pakistan elects former cricketer, supporter of blasphemy laws

Jul 27, 2018

Imran Khan has emerged as the victor in a general election held in Pakistan Wednesday, July 25. The professional cricket... Read more

Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, speaks at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 26, 2012.

Pakistani prime minister candidate endorses blasphemy laws

Jul 10, 2018

A candidate for prime minister in Pakistan’s upcoming general election has defended the country’s controversial blasphemy laws, which have been... Read more

Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, Pakistan.

Pakistan's cardinal-elect warns of growing extremism in his country

Jun 27, 2018

By Elise Harris

Ahead of tomorrow’s Vatican consistory, Pakistani Archbishop Joseph Coutts sees his upcoming elevation to the rank of cardinal as a... Read more

Cross of the Martyrs.

Deadly suicide bomb attacks at Pakistan church kill eight

Dec 17, 2017

At least eight churchgoers were killed and another 30 injured in a double suicide bomber attack at a Methodist church... Read more

Pakistani bishops declare Year of the Eucharist

Nov 14, 2017

Amid national challenges, the Pakistani Catholic Bishops’ Conference has announced a “Year of the Eucharist,” to focus on renewal and... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea. Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope prays for victims of terrorist attacks in Iraq and Pakistan

Feb 19, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

After leading the Angelus Sunday, Pope Francis prayed for all those affected by violence and war around the world, particularly... Read more

Women participate in agricultural activities in Pakistan's Sindh province, June 2011.

How a Catholic program helps Pakistan's women farmers

Oct 19, 2016

Women farmers in Pakistan received helping hands recently from Caritas Pakistan, the Catholic bishops’ arm for social development.  Read more