A Catholic youth group in eastern Pakistan organized a peace assembly and prayer gathering on April 7, 2026, calling for immediate global intervention to end ongoing wars and protect civilian lives. The prayer event drew over 150 participants, with a significant majority of them being female.
The Active Youth Group is part of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located in the administrative center of the Sahiwal Division in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The parish serves more than 400 Catholic families in the region.
The event focused on the role of grassroots communities in promoting global peace through collective prayer.
Addressing the gathering, parish priest Fr. Nadeem Joseph, OP, called on world leaders to prioritize human life over political interests. He emphasized that the continued escalation of violence in various parts of the world is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a threat to global stability.
“There is an urgent need for global peace,” Fr. Joseph stated. “The tragic loss of innocent lives must stop without delay. Continued conflict is pushing our world toward a state of instability that will affect generations to come.”
Following his address, Fr. Joseph led the congregation in a prayer for peace, focusing on victims of violence worldwide.
The assembly also featured Ashiknaz Khokhar, a prominent human rights advocate, who spoke about the legal and moral obligations of states during conflict. Khokhar specifically condemned the targeting of noncombatant zones, including schools and residential areas, where children and young people are increasingly becoming casualties.
“Peace is not a choice; it is a fundamental right of every human being,” Khokhar said. He called for immediate ceasefires, the protection of civilians, and a return to diplomatic dialogue. He also stressed the need for international accountability for those responsible for attacks on innocent populations.
Joining the call for peace, Sr. Josephine Michael, OP, offered a reflection on the moral responsibility of the global community to protect the vulnerable. She noted that the consequences of war extend far beyond the battlefield, deeply wounding the spirit of humanity.
“True peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice and care for one another,” Sr. Josephine remarked. “When we remain silent in the face of violence, we allow the future of our children to be darkened by fear. We must be the hands that build bridges rather than walls, ensuring that compassion reaches those who are suffering in silence.”
She urged the youth and the women present to remain steadfast in their commitment to nonviolence.
Mehwish Akram, a 25-year-old student and member of the Church youth group, shared her hopes for a world without conflict. “When I see news of children in other countries losing their homes and schools to bombs, it makes my heart heavy,” she said. “We are gathered here today because even though we are far away, their pain is our pain. I want world leaders to listen to our voices. We don’t want a future built on ruins; we want a world where every child can live in safety.”
The youth and parishioners also participated in a candle-lighting ceremony and observed several moments of silence.
Participants noted that the gathering was intended to send a clear message from the local community to the international stage: that humanity must be chosen over conflict.
The event concluded with a collective pledge by the participants to promote harmony within their local communities in Sahiwal while maintaining awareness of the suffering caused by war abroad.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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