Protest Against the Government’s Plan to Seize Church Land for the Orange Train Project – Lahore-2016

Lead by Chairman Pakistan Interfaith League, Sajid Sandhu, the Christian community of Lahore, deeply aggrieved and concerned, launched a protest against the Government’s plan to acquire Church land for the Orange Train Project. This move was perceived as yet another affront to the Christian minority by the ruling party, which had a history of infringing on the rights of religious minorities, especially Christians. Chairman PIL, Sajid Sandhu recalled numerous incidents of violence and discrimination, such as the tragedies in Gojra, Badami Bagh, and Kot Radha Krishan, where Christians had been targeted and their rights violated.

The government’s decision to target four historical churches—Cathedral, Naulakha, St. Andrew’s, and Borh Wala Church—outraged the Christian community. These churches, established during the pre-partition days, held significant religious and emotional value for their congregations. The attempt to seize these sacred spaces for a commercial project was seen not only as an attack on the Christian faith but also as a blatant disregard for the rights of the community. The government’s plan to use land ordained for worship for business purposes struck a deep chord of resentment among the Christian population.

PIL’s Intervention

Sajid Sandhu pointed out the hypocrisy of the government’s actions, highlighting a recent decision where the house of a sitting Member of the National Assembly (MNA), which fell within the marked area of the Orange Train Project, was spared by diverting the track. This led to the question: if the home of a political figure could be saved, why couldn’t the same consideration be extended to the House of God? The double standard further fueled the community’s anger, as it became clear that political interests were being prioritized over religious sanctity.

In previous years, church land had been targeted by the land mafia, and now, the Punjab Government was following a similar path, further marginalizing the Christian community. In response to this injustice, Sajid Sandhu Chairman PIL, took decisive action. He appealed to the Lahore High Court on behalf of the entire Christian community, urging the court to halt the government’s plan. Sajid Sandhu emphasized that the sanctity of a House of God could not be undermined for commercial gain, and if the government had already set a precedent by accommodating the needs of a political figure, they should do the same for the Church land.

The protest and subsequent legal appeal reflected the broader struggle of the Christian community in Pakistan, where religious minorities often face discrimination and injustice. The community’s resistance against the Orange Train Project, headed by Chairman PIL served as a powerful reminder of their determination to protect their rights, their faith, and their sacred spaces in the face of systemic challenges. Through their protests and legal efforts, the Christians of Lahore sought to hold the government accountable and ensure that their voices were heard in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.