Church of Scotland Trust asks help to stop illegal property sales

Islamabad—Church of Scotland Trust has sought the help of the Government to stop the illegal sale of property of worship places of minorities and denationalization of Murray College Sialkot, which was the property of the Trust. A four member delegation of Church of Scotland Trust headed by Dr. Peter J David, Attorney Church of Scotland in Pakistan called on Minister of State for National Harmony, Akram Masih Gill here on Thursday. Asia Secretary of Scotland world Mission Council, Mr. Sandy and Dr. Andrew Macllen, President Church of Scotland World Mission Council were also present in the meeting.

The delegation apprised the minister of occupation of land allocated for worship places of the minorities in Pakistan and added that property of Churches in Sialkot , Daska, Jalapur Jattan and Wazirabad is being sold illegally. The delegation informed the minister that Murray College and about 12 other Schools in the area of Sialkot were property of Church of Scotland Trust and nationalized in the past.

The delegation requested the minister to play role to stop the illegal sale of property of Churches and denationalization of educational institutions, which were the property of the Church of Scotland Trust. The minister said government is trying its best to take steps for the social uplift of the minorities in the country and assured the delegation to extend all possible help to address the issue.

Minorities’ protection bill to be tabled in NA soon

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill on Thursday said a minorities’ protection bill would soon be tabled in the National Assembly to introduce Marriage Registration Act for Sikh, Hindu, Parsi and Bahai communities in the country.
He expressed these views while talking to Australian High Commissioner Tim George who called on him here to discuss national harmony and minorities’ issues in Pakistan. Fiona Hamilton, Second Secretary Political of Australian High Commission, was also present on the occasion.
The minister hailed the interest of the Australian government for the welfare of minorities in Pakistan and government policy towards national harmony, adding, that the “government of Pakistan is committed to the uplift of minorities socially by economic empowerment and removing discriminatory actions against non-Muslims”.
Mr Gill said interfaith harmony was the top priority of the government which wanted to promote friendly relations between the country’s Muslims and non-Muslims. He said interfaith harmony committees were being re-activated at district levels for the purpose.
He sought the help of the Australian government to provide clean drinking water to minority populated areas and to establish skill training centres in order to empower them economically.
The Australian ambassador said scholarships would also be ensured for students from religious minorities.

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Akram Masih Gill demands scholarship funds for minorities to be increased

State for Interfaith Harmony and Minorities Affairs Minister Akram Masih Gill said scholarship funds for children of the minorities will be increased from Rs 16 million to Rs 20 million.
Minister of State for Interfaith and Harmony Akram Masih Gill, who also belongs to the PML-Q, has been given full charge of the ministry. was named “Minister of the State” (a sort of “Deputy Minister”).
Speaking to a delegation of parliamentarian’s representing the minorities, he added, development funds would be distributed among the minorities legislators on equal basis, which would help them undertake development work in their respective areas. Gill said development funds for the welfare of the minorities would also be increased in the upcoming budget 2011-12.

The minister informed the delegation that the interfaith harmony ministry would arrange ulema conferences, seminars and walks to bridge the gap among the followers of different religions. Interfaith committees would also be set up at the district level, he said. Gill also informed that the UN would be approached for the establishment of a commission for the well being of minorities across the world. The minister said that the ministry was well aware of the problems being faced by the minorities and it would take concrete steps to resolve all these problems.

Interestingly, last year Akram Masih Gill made the government speechless as he posed a question in the National Assembly on Friday if alcohol was illegal, how the earning from taxes on it could be legal.

“The amount collected through excise duty on the sale of alcohol should be spent on the minorities,” he said in his budget speech. Akram Masih Gill expressed his dismay over the meagre amount of Rs150 million earmarked for the Minorities Welfare Funds in the budget and staged a walkout from the House.