LAHORE: PMLN Minority MPA Falbous Christopher has demanded that Christian educational institutions across Punjab, including those in Lahore, be returned to the minority community.
He stated that due to the CM's education policies, religious teachings are now being imparted in educational institutions instead of moral education. Christopher further said that on the instructions of the Chief Minister, minority students in schools and colleges are now being taught their own religious books.
He demanded that institutions such as Garden College Rawalpindi, St Francis College Anarkali, St Anthony’s Girls High School, Government Rang Mahal High School, and other minority-run institutions across various districts be handed back to the community.
He expressed hope that during the tenure of the Chief Minister, justice could finally be achieved, noting that religious leaders have been working for decades for the return of these institutions.
'These institutions are the property of our church and should be returned to us so that we can continue serving in the same manner,' he added. Meanwhile, Emanuel Athar, another minority MPA said that since these institutions were nationalised, there has been a severe decline in facilities. He added that minorities have rendered valuable services in the fields of education and health.
Parliamentary Secretary Nausheen Adnan told the House that the Human Rights Committee would complete its work regarding the return of minority institutions within one month. She added that as soon as court decisions are received regarding the handover of these institutions, they will be implemented. Christopher further said that when these institutions were taken into state control, they originally belonged to the minority community, and even those institutions that are not under litigation have still not been returned.
Meanwhile, situation got tense in the House after Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar ordered a ruling party MPA to leave the House for creating disorder during the proceedings.A heated exchange took place between the deputy speaker and treasury member Ahsan Raza after he was not allowed to speak on a point of order. The deputy speaker ordered Ahsan Raza to leave the House, remarking that the assembly should not be turned into a political rally and criticising members for turning it into a ‘fish market’.
