Rev. Talib Masih, Moderator of ARP churches in Pakistan said that it was a church of protestants which was constructed in 1970 which razed to ground by the management of Pak-Arab fertilisers Factory after privatisation of the factory.
Addressing a press Conference here on Saturday along with Naveed A Jeeva MPA and a leader of All Pakistan Minority Alliance said."
District administration, police and factory management was playing a game with the Christian by forming a church committee headed by Fr. Jacob Masih and they got their signatures on an agreement with the compensation of Rs one million would be paid to them," He said that since Catholic priest had no concern with this church how can administration sign an agreement with them.
He said," we had informed our head quarter in United States about the situation and they would take up this issue with the Government of Pakistan," Rev. Talib Masih said," we would not sell out our worship place at any cost." He said that this church was demolished at night just one day before the hearing of civil court.
Now the court had again summoned the Pak-Arab fertilisers management to join the proceedings on August 10 otherwise ex-parte decision would be taken.
It may be recalled that about 100 baton wielded Christians on Friday staged a demonstration and blocked the Multan-Lahore highway by putting hurdles on the road as heavy Police contingent was called to disperse them."
We did not resort to baton charge and a number of Christians dispersed peacefully who were protesting against the demolition of their Church," TPO Sharif Zafar said.
DCO Multan, Iftikhar Babur said," Pak Arab management pulled down the church with the consent of Christians however we would investigate the matter if any accession was committed by the Management. Naveed Akhtar Jeeva alleged that factory management got thumb impressions on the blank papers from the illiterate people and now it was claiming that it had got approval from Christian minority to demolish an historical church.
When tried to contact the management of Pak Arab Fertilisers Factory, Brig Umair Ahmed (Retd) said," we have demolished the Church for the expansion on our factory because it was constructed unlawfully on the factory land. However we had paid compensation to Christians for the construction of a new one at any other place."
Admin Officer Colonel Javed Tufail (Retd) said," Some unauthorised persons had developed a "Katchi Abadi" on the land of Pak Arab and they had declared building as their church. Inspite of their unlawful construction, the new management paid them compensation on humanitarian ground to construct their home in some other areas and this so-called Church was also demolished when the dwellings were pulled down.
He said," I think it was not true that this church was old or it was properly constructed for worship."
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