Christian workers challenge Sunday duties

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought a response from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on a petition challenging the practice of requiring Christian sanitation workers to perform duties on Sundays, which they observe as their weekly day of worship.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas issued notices to the CDA while hearing a petition filed by Ilyas Masih and other Christian sanitation workers. The court directed the civic authority to submit a detailed reply along with para-wise comments before the next hearing.

Representing the petitioners, Advocate Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry argued that the CDA's Sanitation Directorate had, for a considerable period, been requiring Christian sanitation workers to report for duty on Sundays, depriving them of the opportunity to attend church services and fulfil their religious obligations.