On May 23, 2025, Pázmány Péter Catholic University welcomed Joel Amir Sahotra, a prominent Pakistani Christian human rights activist, along with his wife. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Bence Ákos Tamássy, Head of the university’s Central Office for International Relations, with Günsberger Dóra also in attendance — a staff member currently serving at the Hungarian Embassy in Pakistan.
Sahotra is the head of the Faisalabad-based Peter John Sahotra Foundation, an organization committed to the social and economic development of the Pakistani Christian community. He holds longstanding ties with the Hungarian Embassy in Islamabad and is widely respected for his international advocacy, including participation at major global forums such as the Washington Prayer Breakfast. There, he met Hungarian State Secretary Tristan Azbej, responsible for the Hungary Helps Program, with whom he continues to maintain strong professional relations. Notably, Sahotra played an active role in coordinating Azbej’s 2025 visit to Pakistan.
A former member of parliament in Pakistan, Sahotra is also planning to continue his political career. During his visit to Hungary, his primary aim was to explore potential academic collaborations and strengthen educational ties. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for Hungary’s consistent support of persecuted Christian communities in Pakistan and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in education.
The visit symbolizes growing ties between Hungary and Pakistan, especially in the field of interreligious understanding, humanitarian aid, and international academic exchange.
Source: Pázmány Catholic University
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