Christians protest grabbing of church land

MARDAN: Dozens of people belonging to Christian community here on Thursday staged a protest asking the chief justice of Peshawar High Court to take note of the occupation of the land meant for construction of church.

The five kanal of land purchased for the construction of church has been allegedly occupied.

Led by Amanat Maseeh, district council member, Niamat Maseh, tehsil council member and others, the protesters gathered outside the Mardan Press Club.

The speakers said that in 1993 Andrew Charles had come to Mardan from London.

They added that the elders of Christian community of the district demanded him to purchase land for the construction of church.

They said he had purchased five kanal of land near Mardan Sugarmills from Gul Nabi.

They added that he had paid Rs0.5 million to the owner. They added that during that time, the owner handed over the land to the elders of Christian community.

However, they added, later on the elders of Christian community demanded the owner of the land to transfer the land in the name of church in the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department but the mentioned person refused to transfer the land.

They demanded the chief justice of Peshawar High Court to take action in this connection and provide justice to the Christian community of the district.