On 25th June 2009, the Government of Pakistan alloted a piece of land to the Christian Community for building a Church next to the Motorway at Kalar Kahar. The transfer letter and the allotment letter were given to the local Pastor, Pastor Naveed John. The Pastor raised some money for the boundary wall, but could`nt raise enough money to start the construction of the Church. They collected some donations from different organizations and gathered enough funds to start the construction.
On 4th December 2009, the Church committee laid the foundation to start the construction. On the morning of 6th December some Muslim religious fundamentalists came and stopped the workers and threatened them of dire consequences.Pastor Naveed John came to the scene and told them that he has the property papers, so they cant stop the construction. 2 days latter a larger group of the Islamic fundamentalists came and threatened the workers. The Church Committee contacted the local police for assistance and filed a complaint, they sent 5 armed policemen. They stood at the site of construction, after a few days the same thing happened,but the police was unable to stop them.
The Pastor Naveed sent a complaint to the DCO, but he didnt respond. On the eve on 24th December 2009 the people were gathered at the Church site for worship, a mob of the extremists attacked the worshipers and injured around 65 Women and Children.The young men tried to protect the women and Children, but couldnt stop them as they were armed.
The Pastor Naveed John called the DCO, but he didn't respond and the local police refused to file a FIR.
Mr. Xavier strongly condemned the attack and immediately demanded FIR of the incident, he asked the Chief Minister to order the arrest of the culprits and provide protection to the Christians. Mr. Xavier said if the FIR is not registered in next 24 hours, they will launch a Country wide protest and will go the PM and the President, he said we have to avoid another Gojra incident. He said yesterday was Quaid-e-Azam`s birthday and everyone said that we should work for the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam, Quaid-a-Azam talked about the equal rights of the Minorities, but the minorities in Pakistan dont have the equal rights.Mr. Mehboob Alam said that the violence against the Christians in Punjab is growing, the Punjab Government should wake up and take action to protect the life and property of the Christians. He said that we are disappointed at the media for not covering the violence against the Christians. He said that the Christians must join hands and come on the roads against the violence. It is the time to speak now and ask for your rights.
Pastor Naveed John requested everyone to remember this incident in their prayers, in the end thanked everyone who was present to come and join them in their time of despair despite a holiday.
