Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - "In Pakistan, people are concerned about the growing tensions with India. The elderly remember the war. There is a certain fear among the population, given the escalation on the border, the firefights, and the victims. We are not far from the Indian border and Kashmir, which increases fears. Public opinion, seeing the constant increase in violence, including verbal violence, sees the risk of a new war growing," Father Qaisar Feroz (OFM Cap), President of Signis Pakistan and Executive Secretary of the Social Communications Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan, told Fides.
"What is becoming apparent is that leaders on both sides of the border are fueling violence and conflict. That is why today we say emphatically: we need words of peace, we need dialogues based on reason and thinking about the good of the respective peoples," the Capuchin priest said. "We see that the conflict has also led to a 'water conflict,' because the springs are located on Indian territory, and India has closed them to Pakistan. This will have an impact on the poor and civilian population, which is very bitter for us and at the same time underlines the seriousness of the situation," he notes. To prevent a new war, "interreligious initiatives and meetings have been launched in Pakistan, inviting political leaders and praying for dialogue and peace. Franciscans and Dominicans, among others, are participating in these initiatives, appealing to politicians: please, let us promote dialogue and peace."
"The Christians in Pakistan," he concludes, "support this appeal and pray for de-escalation so that the threads of negotiations can be re-twisted. Violence is a defeat under all circumstances and at all times," Father Feroz says, expressing the feelings and wishes of the Catholic community.
At the ecclesiastical level, the Pakistani region of Kashmir belongs to the Archdiocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. A mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate operates in this area. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 5/5/2025)
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