Church demolition issue forces abrupt end to PA session

The Punjab Assembly (PA) session on the second day could continue for one hour and twenty minutes only, after the order of the House could not be maintained on the issue of the demolition of a church, on Friday. The session started after one-hour forty minute delay. The demolition of Gosha Aman church remained the centre of the debate in the proceedings, while the question hour was centered on the opposition benches’ criticism of the Punjab government on discrimination against South Punjab in the Information and Culture Department. What about the Gosha Aman Church?
Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) member on minority seat, Engineer Shehzad Elahi, speaking on a point of order, highlighted the issue of demolition of Gosha Aman Church in Garhi Shahu by police on January 10. “Police, on instructions of the provincial government, demolished the church in Garhi Shahu, insulted Bible and the Holy Cross,” he said, adding that teaching staff was also humiliated.
“It was one of our darkest days. We voted for Pakistan and in return, our holy sites were humiliated and we are without protection,” he lamented. Upon this, the speaker interrupted and said, “You cannot deliver a speech on point of order.” However, Elahi did not stop his triad and said the entire Christian community had been shocked by the Punjab government’s behaviour. Next up, the speaker shut Shehzad Elahi’s microphone, but it did not silence Elahi, who continued his speech in a loud voice. The speaker failed to put the House in order as Elahi had the final say on the matter.
“I will not let this session continue, if you are not ready to listen to our problems,” said Elahi, “Check the quorum, please.” The number of members was counted and the session was put off till Monday after the quorum was found to be incomplete.
‘For Kulsoom nawaz Trust’: Talking to reporters outside the PA, Elahi said a case must be registered against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif under the Article 295 for demolishing the church. He alleged that the church had been demolished to give space to the Kulsoom Nawaz Trust. “The provincial government wants to give the 20 canals to the Kulsoom Nawaz Trust,” he said, adding that the church had existed since 1887 and had been demolished without notice.