The Political Situation of Pakistan is in turmoil. A real power struggle.

Economically there is a severe breakdown in the country. Unemployment and poverty are on the rise everyday.Terrorism is the decorating title of the sub continent at this time.The Christians are not alien to harassment also. Desecration of Churches, associating the Christians with what is going on in the middle east etc.

The tragic death of Rev.Fr. Zafar Iqbal O.P., former Vice Provincial in Pakistan on the 19th of February 2009. A graceful preacher, full of zest in his celebration of the Eucharist, poet, musician…especially local liturgical music, sufi. Missed by all of us, not only Dominicans, but by all.

News from our Community in Pakistan

We are in the process of shifting the administration of the Mission into the hands of our Pakistani Sisters. Sr.Robeena Inayat O.P. is now the Formation Directress for Novices, while Sr.Cecilia Rashid O.P. cultivates the prospective candidates while still at college level. Sr.Shakeela John O.P. is the Principal of Sacred Heart High School for Boys and Girls (separate Blocks for Boys and Girls as the Local Administration does not allow High School co-education in this district) in Jhang. Sr.Firdaus Bashir O.P. is the Superior of our Community and Principal of the co-education Primary School in Chak 424. Other seats are on the way of preparation so in the long run, the Congregation will leave THE MISSION in the hands of our dear Pakistani Sisters. We do this with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Our Dominican Sisters sent also the E-Newsletter “Religious Minorities for peace and harmony in Pakistan” ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), from where we publish this news:

Three Churches Were Attacked In Karachi

KARACHI: Within a week, three Churches were attacked in Karachi city, the economic capital of Pakistan. The Christ Awami Church was attacked twice; a church in Zia Colony in Korangi was also attacked, while a third R. P. Church in Golimar was attacked on Jan. 4. Pakistan Minorities Front Chairman Michael Javaid (also a former Christians Member of Provincial Assembly, MPA) said that the R. P. Church was attacked allegedly by a group of Baloch men. The police intervened, however, and prevented the church from being destroyed, The News, a Pakistani English daily, reported on Jan. 6. During the attack on Christ Awami Church, unidentified men smashed windows of the church, broke a cross on the wall, damaged hymn books and dumped garbage in the premises of the church. An FIR was lodged the following day after immense pressure and protests from the Christian community.

However, according to Daily Times, another Pakistani English daily, of Jan. 3, the Boat Basin police arrested three men Sher Zaman, Sher Zamir and Bakhti Rehman for pelting stones on Christ Awami Church in the Shah Rasool Colony under a registered case (First Information Report No 04/2009). A member of the church Yaqub Nazar said, “There was a fight between the young men from our community and others during a football match and we were threatened with consequences.”