A. S. John

Pakistan Correspondent

Articles by A. S. John

18 Feb, 2025 05:15 EST

US & Canada Society & Culture

Pakistan’s faith-based organizations among those hit by US funding freeze

By A. S. John

Yasir Talib was writing a project report at his office in Lahore on Jan. 27 when he received disturbing news: the research and advocacy organization where he worked would not renew his contract due to a funding freeze announced by the Trump administration. Talib, project coordinator of the Minority Leadership Development (MLD) initiative at the Lahore-based Center for Social Justice (CSJ), which was financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), was among 10 employees laid
28 Jan, 2025 08:56 EST

Asia Church & Missions

Renewed tensions between regional and national leadership put unity of Church of Pakistan at risk

By A. S. John

Reports of a recent dispute in the Church of Pakistan (CoP) about a regional bishop’s authority to appoint a successor without the involvement of the national leadership has revealed serious tensions that once again tear at the unity of the largest Protestant denomination in the country.
10 Jan, 2025 08:13 EST

Asia Church & Missions Education

Rocked by revelations of corruption and misgovernance, Pakistan's oldest seminary removes chairman

By A. S. John

The chairman of the Board of Directors of Pakistan’s oldest seminary has been removed from his position over allegations of financial corruption and gross irregularities in a building project, and alleged illegal and unconstitutional actions that have damaged the operations of the institution once known as the cornerstone of theological education in the subcontinent, Christian Daily International has learnt.
23 Dec, 2024 10:20 EST

Asia Society & Culture

‘Failure motivated me to keep going’, says only Christian girl to pass Pakistan special federal exam

By A. S. John

This Christmas has brought extraordinary joy to the family of Azam Mairaj as his daughter is the only female among five Christians who have cleared a competitive written examination especially conducted to fill 104 vacant positions in the federal government to fulfill the five percent minority quota. The 26-year-old’s educational journey is a unique story of hard work, determination and courage.
7 Nov, 2024 00:11 EST

Asia Society & Culture

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik discredits Christianity in Pakistan visit, draws Christians' ire

By A. S. John

Christian leaders in Pakistan have condemned Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s objectionable remarks about Christianity during his various public sermons in Pakistan when touring the country on a month-long state-sponsored visit in October.
30 Aug, 2024 09:08 EDT

Asia Society & Culture

Christians among thousands of freelancers hit by installation of Pakistan's China-inspired internet firewall

By A. S. John

Shumayle Falak makes a living for his family by freelancing on online marketplaces but a nationwide internet slowdown due to the installation of a firewall by the government has rendered him and hundreds of thousands of other Pakistani youths jobless, exacerbating their financial woes in the inflation-hit economy.
18 Aug, 2024 21:08 EDT

Asia Church & Missions

Vatican removes Pakistani archbishop over corruption, sexual abuse charges

By A. S. John

The Vatican has removed the archbishop of the biggest Catholic diocese in Pakistan after an inquiry found him at the center of financial corruption, illegal sale of church property, and involvement in sexual abuse, according to reliable sources.
14 Aug, 2024 23:08 EDT

Asia Society & Culture

As Muslim athlete receives lavish welcome, Pakistani 'Power Girls' wonder: 'Is our Christian faith a barrier to recognition?'

By A. S. John

Muslim athlete Arshad Nadeem who won a javelin gold medal at the Paris Olympics for a world record-breaking throw has received a hero’s welcome, sponsorships and significant financial rewards from the government. Three remarkable sisters who have etched their names in history by consistently winning gold medals for Pakistan in the sport of powerlifting, however, have watched the happenings with mixed feelings.
31 Jul, 2024 07:07 EDT

Asia Society & Culture

Pakistan’s 2023 census ‘grossly undercounts’ Christians leading to fewer opportunities, say church leaders

By A. S. John

Pakistani church leaders have expressed concerns over the recently released official results pertaining to the Christian population in Pakistan, claiming that the 2023 national population digital census has failed to effectively present the actual number of the minority community in the country.
28 Jul, 2024 11:07 EDT

Asia Church & Missions

Crisis brewing in Anglican diocese in Pakistan amid corruption allegations

By A. S. John

A serious crisis is brewing in the Diocese of Lahore of the Anglican Church of Pakistan after four directors of the Lahore Diocesan Trust Association (LDTA), which oversees missionary properties worth billions of rupees in Pakistan, moved the high court in Punjab Province alleging financial corruption and fraudulent practices in the organisation.
25 Jul, 2024 07:07 EDT

Asia Society & Culture

Undeterred by terror threats, Pakistan Christian scouts put lives on the line in service of society

By A. S. John

Irfan Ilyas Gill is neither a Shia nor a Sunni Muslim but a member of the Pakistan Christian Scouts who along with 30-40 other Christians has been voluntarily facilitating Shia mourners participating in the Ashura processions in Pakistan’s biggest metropolitan city Karachi for over 12 years.
16 Jul, 2024 05:07 EDT

Asia Society & Culture

Pakistan passes law barring marriage of under-18 Christians, raising hopes for protection from forced marriages, conversions

By A. S. John

The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed a law raising the legal marriage age to 18 for boys and girls belonging to the Christian community, bringing Christian marriage laws in conformity with Pakistan’s child protection and human rights standards. The bill titled ‘Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2024’ -- presented by a Christian member of the National Assembly, Naveed Amir Jeeva, updates the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, which previously set the marriage age at 16 for boys and 13 for

A. S. John

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