The nationalization of the Edwardes College in Pakistan's Peshawar is not just a severe setback to the Christian community but also detrimental to the propagation of free speech in the country. Edwardes College, established in 1900 by the Church Mission
The Edwardes College Peshawar on Wednesday has been nationalized by the Peshawar High Court leading to a huge setback to the Christian community in Pakistan.
A private Christian institute in Pakistan- the Edwardes College Peshawar on Wednesday, October 23, has been nationalized under the 1974 notification by the Peshawar High Court leading to a huge setback to the Christian community in Pakistan. According to news reports, the Peshawar High Court on October 1 rejected a petition by the college "requesting to declare the college, which was set up in 1900, as a private institution in light of an earlier judgment delivered by the court in 2016 and to stop the government from interfering in its affairs". Further reports stated that the Christian community feels "back-stabbed" by the Court's decision.
Christian community reacts
The nationalization of the college sets another example of "systematic and state prosecution of minorities in Pakistan". Reportedly, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has maintained a silence on the issue of the setback to the Christian minorities in Pakistan, hurting minority sentiments further.
According to reports, on October 19, the Christian community leaders have accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in Pakistan for interfering in the affairs of the college. Citing this issue, the community has further called on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue an executive order to confirm that Edwardes College Peshawar will remain a private Christian institute and will not be nationalized. However, Khan has remained silent on the issue till now.
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