The Punjab Government on Tuesday bulldozed a property belonging to the Catholic Church on Allama Iqbal Road in Garhi Shahu, despite a stay order against any action on the property.
Father Emmanuel Yousuf Mani, the Director of National Commission of Justice and Peace (NCJP)while speaking to the press at Lahore Press Club said that the institution called Gosha-e-Aman, was a compound worth billions of rupees and housed living quarters for three families as well as a vocational school for girls, a covenant and a chapel.
Representatives of the Christian community said that the property was registered to the Lahore Charitable Association and managed by CARITAS Pakistan.
Representatives of the Christian community said that the property was registered to the Lahore Charitable Association and managed by CARITAS Pakistan.
Father Emmanuel said that the Punjab government had not issued advance notices to the board before proceeding with demolition.
The litigation of the compound was already pending in court, and a stay order had been issued against its demolition, the community members at the press conference said.
Director of the Center for Legal Aid Assistance Settlement, Francis Joseph alleged that “Bibles in the family quarters were desecrated and so were our crosses.” Speaking to The Express Tribune, Joseph said “Whenever the Sharif brothers come into power, Christian community is discriminated against.”
Father Emmanuel told The Express Tribune, “I went to the centre in the morning, only to find DCO Lahore along with a heavy police contingent and their machinery. They did not hear a word of what I said.”
Father Emmanuel further added that this occupation is a result of collusion between Son of CM Punjab Hamza Shahbaz, MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of PMLN and the government machinery.
Father Emmanuel further added that this occupation is a result of collusion between Son of CM Punjab Hamza Shahbaz, MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of PMLN and the government machinery.
Representatives of the Christian community said that DCO Lahore Ahad Cheema told them that the property had been transferred to the Government, however the community members said the property still belonged to the Catholic Church property and cannot be transferred without permission from higher authorities.
They alleged that the Minister for Minorities, Kamran Michael too follows government instructions and does not pay any attention to the community’s grievances.