Background on Country:

Islamic Republic of Pakistan came into being on the 14th of August 1947. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved. A third war between these countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan seceding and becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. A dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998.

Economic Overview:

Pakistan is a poor, heavily populated country, suffering from internal political disputes, lack of foreign investment, and a costly confrontation with neighboring India. Pakistan's economic outlook continues to be marred by its weak foreign exchange position, which relies on international creditors for hard currency inflows.
President MUSHARRAF has complied largely with IMF recommendations to raise petroleum prices, widen the tax net, privatize public sector assets, and improve the balance of trade. However, Pakistan's economic prospects remain uncertain; too little has changed despite the new administration's intentions. Foreign exchange reserves hover at roughly $1 billion, GDP growth hinges on crop performance, the import bill has been hammered by high oil prices, and both foreign and domestic investors remain wary of committing to projects in Pakistan.

Statistics:

Population: 159,196,336 (July 2004 est.)
Population growth rate:1.98% (2004 est.)
Death rate: 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 80,000 (2003)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,500 (2001 est.)
Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 45.7%
male: 59.8%
female: 30.6% (2003 est.)
Currency: Pakistani Rupee [PKR]
Inflation rate: 5.2% [2000]
Agriculture Products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs.

Religious minorities in Pakistan

Almost all of the 145 million citizens of Pakistan are Muslims. However, there are small but significant minorities in Pakistan as well. 1.5% are Christian, 1.5% are Ahmadis/Qadianis, Hindus, Zikris, followers of other faiths, or persons of no organized religion. It is sad that some Pakistanis have taken their anger towards American bombing of Afghanistan to inflict pain and terror on Christians in Pakistan. According to Christian sources, about 70 Christians have been killed in Pakistan since 9/11. Whereas government has taken steps to safeguard churches and Christian properties, it is the duty of the majority community to assist Christians. Minorities in Pakistan are feeling insecure after the 9-11 as the Muslim extremists are continuously targeting to minority people Christians and their worship places are unsafe in the country .

Youth of the Christian Community:

Pakistan being a Muslim state, has a lot of hurdles and challenges for the youth. And being a member of the minority youth does not help at all. Keeping in mind, the political chaos,economic situation and the weak infrastructure the country is facing, the youth of the community lack resources hence have no access to education, skill learning or jobs.In the public schools the children are ill-treated by the Muslim teachers and forced to change their religion.They are forced to learn Islamiyat [Islamic studies.]
Unemployment rate is high and Christian youth even if qualify for the job have to face discrimination at the hands of the employers at all level; be it government or private sector. All this results in frustration leading to drug addiction or criminal activity

Role of International Dominican Youth Group in Multan

On the 3rd of April 2003 different commissions were called for having meeting at Lahore with our Dominican Provincial Fr.Zafar Iqbal op and with major superiors. Like the other commissions IDYM commission was also formed. It was the first time that we heard about this group. We were given the duty to introduce the IDYM and to form the groups. It was said that its mission is to work for the kingdom of God. We have to make them the disciple of Jesus. We have to give them the spirituality of S.Dominic and the basic Dominican values of Prayer, Study, Community life and Preaching.

In May we had first meting with the parish boys and girls. There were 5 boys and 7 girls. After few meetings the number of young people increased. And then I started one group " Ibne Mariam "group in Pastoral Institute. At the beginning we had our meetings twice a month, but now we have once a month.

Activities of IDYM

1) To help the parish Priest in Preparation of the Holy Mass and choir.
2) To teach the catechism to little kids.
3) To visit the families specially to the sick people.
4) To help the needy students in their studies.
5) During the month of May and October they go to recite the Rosary with the families.
6) Exhibition for fundraising.
7) Shahme Calvary

Activities for their spiritual development

1) Seminars.
2) Catechism and Sacraments.
3) Day of Recollection.
4) Dominican Spirituality prayer program.
5) Study on the Dominican saints life.

These groups are working in different fields such as :

Holy child hood.
Justice and Peace.
Dominican Prayer Group.
Sewing center.
Preaching with Music and theatre program.
As it is stated in the brief history of IDYM that this movement works in the field of ecumenism and commitment to Justice and peace and dialogue with other religion groups.

Major groups in Multan:

There are the following group from:

1) St. Mary's Group (English Medium school 8,9,10 class students)
2) Sacred Heart (Urdu Medium school 8,9,10)
3) Parish boys and girls (9,10,and collage students)
4) Pastoral Institute Boys and Girls.
5) Sacred Heart Girls School ( 8,9,10 and two teachers )

Pastoral Institute Group had started with the help of Fr.Patrick. Now Fr.Shamaon with his own brothers are working actively with me.

Level of the groups:

As I have mentioned above that these are at school level and collage level students.

Aims of IDYM

The aim of this group is to prepare them to follow he teaching of Jesus in the way of St.Dominic. We have decided that besides the Dominican Spirituality we have the seminars of Christian and Human formation along with our common bonds.

Highlights of Karachi (city of lights):

On the 21st of September 2003, the IDYM group was introduced in Karachi in the presence of Fr. Zafar Iqbal And Fr.Akhter. Fr. Younas gave an introductory talk on "what is IDYM, its aims, objectives and Spirituality?" He explained that International Dominican Youth Group is an International organization, which is part of the Dominican Order. It is a group of young laypeople and its main purpose is to promote the idea of a participatory Church. The group is al;ready working actively all around the globe and promotes lay participation in the Church.At present, ten well educated youths are members of this group and Bro. Iftikhar is its facilitator.
The purpose of this group is to prepare the young to be animators and help other youth groups already active in the various parishes of Karachi. They hold regular monthly meetings

Report on "Dominican Bazm-e-Javan", Karachi

On 21stof September 2003, Fr. Younas Shahzad, OP., local superior and Master of Students at Dominican House of Studies Karachi, introduced IDYM group in this metropolitan city. On its inauguration ceremony Fr. Zafar Iqbal, OP. Vice-Provincial and Fr. Akhtar Naveed, OP. Co-chairperson of Dominican Laity were also present there.
Our group consists of eight boys and four girls. Most of them are well educated and are doing their jobs and some are still studying. Miss Rashida Inayat is the president whereas Mr. Rasheed Anthony is secretary of the group. Fr. Younas Shahzad along with Sr. Magdalene Yousaf, Celine Qasim (Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena) and Sr. Salomy (Dominican sisters of the Missionary of Schools) are facilitating this group. Karachi city consists of eleven parishes. The members of our Youth group come from five different parishes.

Activities of "Dominican Bazm-e-Javan"

1. Monthly Meetings: The members of our group regularly take part in monthly meetings, which take place at Dominican House of studies. Taking Jesus Christ as our center and following the way of St. Dominic the members are learning about Dominican Life. A book entitled St. Dominic written by a Dominican friar Rahmat Bhatti is given to all the members. Every month one member gives presentation on a topic and then the topic is further explored and the different questions asked by the participants are entertained. Secondly, the pillars of our IDYM, prayer, study, community life and preaching are explained. The members are encouraged to witness Christ using all the means and opportunities of their lives, whether in the market, with friends or on jobs.
2.Future Planning: Our youth group is still under formation. We prepare our members to be able to attract the youth by giving them special attention through their way of living. In future, we plan to facilitate to various groups working in different parishes of Karachi. We hope to start giving the seminars quarterly to various youth groups.

Report on St. Dominic's Youth Group (IDYM) Warispura, Faisalabad

This group of young Christian men and women was formed on November 30, 2002. We are ten boys and seven girls. We follow the charism of the Order along with the Dominican friars and sisters in our parish. By living the values of the Gospel in our daily lives, we preach the Gospel and give witness of risen Jesus Christ in the concrete situation of Pakistan. We are well aware of the spiritual needs of the people at this time. The present modern world has become a global village and through media, our links have made the world a new reality of closeness. As Dominican youth, we also commit ourselves for study, prayer, community life. As the young students, we commit ourselves for studies and give witness of ever living Jesus Christ to all the young who study with us.

Our group is alive and active in the parish. Bro. Iftikhar Moon OP and Fr. Pascal Paulus OP are the main persons who gave us the formation through the study sessions on the life of St. Dominic and gave us instructions by which we have matured our vocation as the young Dominican youth members. We are proud of being the member of the Dominican Order.

Our Activities
1. Meetings
We meet in the group every Sunday morning after the second Mass. We discuss the concerning matters of the group and seek the ways to grow as a Dominican Youth member.
2. Study Sessions
Time to time in our conferences we study our rules and regulations, Bible study and other concerning matters.
3. Programs
Since our birth, we have been conducting different programs on different occasions such as: annual Christmas families get together, Speech competitions, debates, tournaments, Career guidance programs, Bible quiz, Feast of St. Dominic, and other different programs.

Future Planning
We are considering the need to develop our function as young men and women to preach the Gospel Values in a better way. Secondly, we want to be connected to national IDYM's network in Pakistan; thirdly, we want to live the vision statement of IDYM in our lives.

Kompal Group (Sacred Heart School, Sahiwal)

The IDYM group was formed by Sr. Rosy Nawab, Principal of Sacred Heart School, Sahiwal under the incentive of the Chairperson, Sr. Najma Martha. Sr.Najma Martha gave the relevant information about the objectives, aims and common bonds and proposed activities of IDYM. Sr. Rosy Nawab responded positively and started a group of IDYM in Sahiwal, which started its activities enthusiastically in November 2003 and in no time, gained popularity and good repute in the city in no time.

The Kompal group started its activities on the 21st November 2003 under the supervision of Sr. Rosy Nawab and the group leader was Miss Shazia Maryam of Sacred Heart School. The group learned a lot about St. Dominic life and the five pillars of Dominican spirituality. The group expanded as more and more youth heard about it and soon became its members and offered their services. The students are from class 8th, 9th and 10th. Sr. Rosy Nawab takes care of their spiritual formation.

Programs:
- At Christmas time, they express the coming of Jesus through speech competition, tabloes, dramas.
- They hold group discussions on the aims and objectives of the youth movement.
- They also held an exhibition of handicrafts and paintings made of various kinds of material contributed by the members of the youth.

Future Planning:
The youth are really happy to be part of the IDYM and are planning to launch a website in collaboration with the Multan group.