Minorities And Marginalised Communities
The Janikhel’s long battle for peace
June 11th, 2021; By Hamid Riaz & Arshad Mohmand; LAHORE/PESHAWAR; "Govt is offering me money. I say to them 'bring me your fathers & your sons & let me kill one of them & then accept money in exchange for their lives just like you are expecting me to," says Rafiullah, son of the slain tribal elder.
Hindu traders of Khuzdar forbidden from serving female Muslim customers.
June 9th, 2021; By Asim Ahmed Khan; QUETTA; A series of targeted killings have marred the peaceful lives of Hindu traders in Balochistan pushing them towards migration. Now, Hindu traders in Khuzdar received threatening letters from a local outfit forbidding them from serving female Muslim customers.
Ahmadi funeral attacked by Mob
June 7th, 2021; Staff Report; LAHORE; A mob of Muslims attacked a funeral procession of an Ahmadiya woman in the Safdarabad locality of Sheikhupura. The women were finally buried after a violent clash between the two communities.
Shafqat and Shagufta acquitted from Blasphemy charges after 8 years
June 3rd, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; The LHC on Thursday acquitted Christian couple Shafqat Emmanuel & Shagufta Kausar of blasphemy after 8 years. The case was linked to a resolution passed by the European Parliament in a call for review of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status
Death row murder convict acquitted after 8 years in jail
After spending eight years in jail, the LHC has acquitted a Christian convict on death row for murder by giving him the benefit of doubt. AGHS represented Gulfam Masih as part of its free legal aid services to destitute and vulnerable prisoners.
UN experts express concern over alleged detention, targeting of Pashtun minority...
June 2nd, 2021; Staff Report; LAHORE; Independent UN human rights experts have expressed concern over allegations of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and legal proceedings against leaders and activists working for the Pashtun minority in the country.
The mystery of Sunita Masih
May 29th, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed & Asra Haque; LAHORE; While the story of “Sunita Masih” turned out to just be a story, what of the teary-eyed girl whose face was used to spread a fake narrative by trolls?
Religious freedom and Pakistan’s GSP Plus status
May 17th, 2021; By Suneel Malik; LAHORE; Although, the adoption of the EP’s resolution does not entail an automatic revocation to Pakistan’s GSP+ status, it is still important to assess what may be the cost to losing such a trade concession with EU.
Shafqat & Shagufta: Rotting away in prison
For one to be a Christian accused of blasphemy is sufficient grounds for the police, for judges, lawyers and society as a whole to abhor that individual, says senior advocate Saif ul-Malook of the seven-years-long blasphemy case of Shafqat Emmanuel and his wife Shagufta Kausar.
