Pakistan province demolishes Catholic church, despite protests

Ronan — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 07:53:47 +0000

A Catholic church serving more than 300 Christian families in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi was demolished Aug. 24 despite resistance from a civil society group and warnings from UN human rights experts.

The Save Karachi Movement, a group of lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists and minority activists, confirmed the demolition of St. Joseph Church on its Twitter account. It was part of a larger demolition plan to prevent flooding, government officials said.

Ucanews.com reported the Save Karachi Movement said the anti-encroachment squad of the Sindh provincial government tore down the building, despite protests from the Christian community.

Social media saves Catholic church saved from demolition

Ronan — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 07:51:34 +0000

The planned demolition of a Catholic church was put on hold owing to protests by a civil society group in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi.

"Thank you for participating in the campaign to #SaveStJosephChurch from demolition," Karachi Bachao Tehreek (Save Karachi Movement) said in a statement on Aug 23. "Due to our collective resistance, the church did not get demolished today. But residents fear that it will get demolished in the coming days as soon as it loses traction on social media."

St Joseph Catholic Church was set to be removed as part of the government's anti-encroachment drive.

The movement described it as illegal for violating a Supreme Court ruling and the country's constitution as well as international accords.

Social media saves Catholic church saved from demolition

Save Karachi Movement - CathNews New Zealand

Pakistan province demolishes Catholic church, despite protests

Social media saves Catholic church saved from demolition