by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Pakistan government officials bulldozed the homes and church building of 200 Christian families in Islamabad last month, with no warning or offer of substitute housing, the Christian Post reports.
In a statement to the Christian Post, the U.K.-based Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance, and Settlement (CLAAS-UK) group said that on October 18, the Pakistani government’s Capital Development Authority bulldozed the homes in the Christian area of Nawaz Sharif Colony in Islamabad.
“These Christians have lost everything — their homes and all of their worldly possessions,” CLAAS-UK director Nasir Saeed told CP. “Many of them have lived in the colony for years, raising their families here and investing their life savings into building and maintaining their homes.”
Although there were no injuries arising from the demolition, Saeed noted that the destruction of the Christians’ homes followed soon after devastating floods hit the country and shortly before the onset of winter as well.
“It is imperative that the Pakistani government financially compensate the Christians who have lost their homes and provide them with somewhere else to live,” Saeed added.
Pakistan ranks 8th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2022 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted; believers are considered second-class citizens in this authoritarian Islamist country.