Punjab province ‘hell’ for minorities

Daily Times

Takeover of Christian property: Opp minority members decry government in PA

Opposition members from minorities lashed out against the provincial government over its possession of Christian properties, saying that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had made the province ‘hell’ for minorities.

Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) MPA Shahzad Elahi on a point of order raised the issue of Christian’s property, Gosha-e-Aman, located at Garhi Shahu in Lahore and said that the Punjab government had made the demolition of churches its mission.

He also referred to other properties which had been grabbed by the provincial government, including United Christian Hospital in Liberty Chowk and church property in Garden Town, and added that due to such illegal acts, the province had become a “living hell” for minorities. He strongly condemned the demolition of a 20-kanal portion of a church located in Garhi Shahu. Elahi said that the Bible had also been desecrated during the demolition of the church and the windows of the church had also been smashed.

The minority member of the provincial assembly also termed the day of demolition of the church as “the darkest day in the history of Pakistan”, and said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had also assured that the rights and property of the minorities would be protected in the country. He said that the white on Pakistan’s flag gave minorities the right to live peacefully and speak for themselves.

When the opposition member began speaking in a high tone against the provincial rulers, the speaker switched off his microphone saying that the issue would be taken up if he brought something written before the House.

At this point Elahi became more aggressive and following a heated exchange with the speaker, he pointed out the quorum in the House, adding that he would not allow the House to run smoothly unless the grievances of Christians were addressed.

After counting the shortage of required members for quorum, the speaker adjourned the session until 3pm on Monday evening.

Friday’s session began more than an hour later than its scheduled time under the chairmanship of Speaker Rana Iqbal Khan. In the beginning, only 26 members were present in the House. The treasury benches also faced criticism over the absence of its ministers in the house.

After recitation of Holy Quran and Naat, Provincial minister Nadeem Kamran answered members’ queries about the culture department during the question hour. He ensured the House that all recruitments and appointments on government seats in southern Punjab were being made on merit and all employees of grade-4 were being picked from local areas. He also said that the government would hold an inquiry concerning the theft of antiques from Jhang and other museums, especially Lahore Museum.

The provincial minister also informed the House that the government was sending its recommendations for deserving artists to the federal government, and Art Councils were also providing financial assistance so that the artists could meet their needs like children’s marriages and illness. He informed the House that the government was giving stipend of Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 to 21 deserving artists on monthly basis.

After the adjournment of the session, opposition members led by minority MPA Shehzad Elahi held a protest outside the Punjab Assembly and demanded that a case be registered under Article 295 (A) against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the demolition of Christian property. He said that Shahbaz Sharif wanted to establish “Kalsoom Nawaz Trust” at the Christian’s property in Garhi Shahu. He also criticised the role of treasury members belonging to minorities for their silence against the violation of minority rights in the province.