SAHIWAL: Punjab Secretary for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Irshad Ahmad says the provincial government has allocated Rs28.5m for the upgrade and beautification of 14 churches in the division.

He was talking to the media at the Gospel Church on Monday. He said nine and five churches would be renovated in Okara and Sahiwal districts, respectively, Rs2.5m would be spent on beautification and installation of tuff tiles at Gopal Church while Rs1.5m would be spent on ARP Church, Chak 86/6-R.

In the same manner, churches in Chak 190/9-L, Chak 86/12-L and Chak 52/12-L would also be upgraded.

Mr Ahmad said the development funds for the churches would be spent before the end of 2020.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Ibrahim Danial thanked the Punjab government, saying that it was a longstanding demand of the Christians that churches should be beautified and funds provided for their structure.

Bishop Ibrahim demanded the Punjab government announce Rs25m scholarship grants for the minority student studying in public and private educational institutions.

He said educational scholarships would facilitate the poor minority students to come into the mainstream education framework..

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2020