Pakistan Church leaders hail Indo-Pak ceasefire – Herald Malaysia Online

May 12, 2025

By Kamran Chaudhry
Church leaders in Pakistan have welcomed a US-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan after four days of deadly conflict, and called for lasting peace and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

A sense of cautious relief spread across South Asia on May 10 after both countries confirmed the ceasefire agreement, prompting thanksgiving prayers in churches across Pakistan.

The first word of the truce came from US President Donald Trump, who posted on his Truth social platform that both nations had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. “Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence,” he wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
However, within hours, both sides accused each other of violating the agreement after explosions were reported in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The recent military confrontation erupted three weeks after New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting an attack on the Indian side of disputed Kashmir — an allegation denied by Pakistan.
On May 7, India launched missile strikes it said targeted “terrorist camps,” prompting Pakistan to retaliate with heavy artillery fire. At least 57 deaths have been reported since the escalation, including 36 in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to media reports.
In his first Sunday address on May 11, Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in Gaza, peace in Ukraine, and a lasting settlement between India and Pakistan. “No more war,” the pontiff appealed, urging world powers to act for peace.
Meanwhile, Bishop Samson Shukardin, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, opened a May 11 Mass at a packed St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Hyderabad with prayers for reconciliation between the two nuclear-armed nations.
“The ceasefire is a good thing. It saved us from a very dangerous war,” Bishop Shukardin told UCA News. “We once again call for dialogue — war is not a solution.”
The bishop of Hyderabad urged both governments to resolve longstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute and disagreements over the Indus Waters Treaty.
“The only way forward is to address systemic weaknesses from top to bottom,” he said.
The South Asian neighbors have fought two full-scale wars over Kashmir since their independence from British rule in 1947.
On April 23, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of cooperation regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 to manage the river system shared by both countries.
In a May 10 statement, Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi urged both nations to pursue “meaningful conversations to address long-standing issues and seek lasting solutions that prioritize the well-being and security of their people.”
“A peaceful future for the South Asian region begins with cooperation, dialogue, mutual respect, and a commitment to peace,” he said.
Arshad, the first Pakistani priest to join the Vatican diplomatic service, said that “the [ceasefire] announcement brings glad tidings of peace and hope. This moment should be seized as an opportunity to build lasting stability in the region.”
“The ceasefire also reminds us of the power of diplomacy over conflict,” he said, hoping it may serve as “a foundation upon which India and Pakistan can build stronger, more trustworthy, and peaceful relations.”
Lahore-based Christian charity, the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD), appealed to civil society, faith leaders, and regional stakeholders to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding.
“We stand firmly for the sanctity of human life, the dignity of all people, and the urgent need to prevent further escalation of hostilities,” said ECHD’s executive director James Rehmat in a May 10 statement.
“At this critical juncture, we call on both governments to prioritize diplomacy over division, dialogue over discord, and peace over provocation. The people of India and Pakistan share centuries of history, culture, and values. It is in this spirit of shared humanity that we urge both nations to commit to meaningful, transparent dialogue to resolve long-standing conflicts and build mutual trust.

“Let this be a moment not for retaliation but for reflection and resolution. Let the pursuit of peace define our legacy for future generations,” he added.—ucanews.com
Sts. Nereus and Achilleus; St. Pancras
Acts 11:1-18
Psalms 42:2-3; 43:3-4
John 10:1-10
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