Forced Migration: Christians allegedly forced out of Landi Kotal

People complained that no prior notice was given to them nor was any alternative provided for their accommodation.


Our Correspondent October 14, 2012
Forced Migration: Christians allegedly forced out of Landi Kotal

LANDI KOTAL:


The Christian community of Khyber Agency has alleged that it has been told to leave the Landi Kotal army camp without any prior notice.


Members of the community said they had been ordered to leave the area on Sunday while they were offering weekly prayers. They complained that no prior notice was given to them nor was any alternative provided for their accommodation.

Chairman of the Christian community of Khyber Agency Arshad Masih said they have been living in the area since 1914 when they were brought there by British rulers. According to him, the land was given to the British by the Khugakhel tribe for a hundred-year period.

The Frontier Corps (FC), which also existed at the time under the name of Frontier Constabulary, now says the lease is over and the people must vacate the land, said Masih.

He lamented that all requests to reverse the decision fell on deaf ears with political administrators including senior officials saying the area fell under the jurisdiction of FC.

The Frontier Corps , when contacted, declined to comment on the issue.

Masih, however, rubbished speculation suggesting the tribal people posed a threat to their safety, and stressed the locals of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) were “peace loving people.”

Another prominent member of Khyber Agency’s Christian community, Wilson Wazir said the Frontier Corps  had asked the males of their families to leave immediately, while the women and children had taken shelter in hotels around Peshawar and Khyber Agency.

Some were also residing with their relatives in the provincial capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

“I am here at a hotel in Landi Kotal and my family is not with me,” said Wazir, adding that the community will approach minority ministers Paul Bhatti and Akram Masih Gill to take up the issue.

Wazir added they could not purchase land as most property in the area was disputed over.

Meanwhile, members of the Christian community staged demonstrations to protest against the move. Families holding banners denouncing the decision chanted slogans against the force and chorused: “Where will the poor go now that winter is coming?”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2012.

COMMENTS (19)

Sajjad | 12 years ago | Reply

Stop this cieansing. Lease or no lease they are Pakistanis. Please stop this killing..

Samir | 12 years ago | Reply

@Hassan Jan Stating that it happens in India and hence its right and justified in Pakistan is the most rubbish excuse I have ever seen. It is regularly used by corrupt politicians in India and your country to justify their criminal deeds.

The difference in Pakistan is that discrimination is indoctrinated in your national constitution. You have a law which degrades/discriminates against Ahmadis. Read your passport application form. Minorities are running in droves from your country. Your 10% Hindu minority got reduced to 1% because of forced conversions. Young girls are abducted with police support and judges pass judgements favoring the abductors. Moderate voices are either told to shut up or are murdered with public showering rose petals on them in court premises.

These Christians have been staying on that land for 100 years i.e. before your country was formed. This is forced eviction under the garb of lease expiry. Have a heart.

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