TOBA TEK SINGH: A group of foreign journalists visited Jaranwala upon the invitation of Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday to witness the administration’s efforts in rehabilitating the Christian families affected by the Aug 18 tragedy.

Faisalabad Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Nayar Sheikh and CPO Muhammad Ali Zia briefed them about the rehabilitation of the families, the restoration of churches and the transfer of churches to the administration.

Journalists learned that each affected family received financial assistance of Rs2 million, and the burnt electricity and gas meters in their houses were replaced.

Christian students were sent back to school after being provided with school bags, books, uniforms, and stationery, while unemployed private industrial workers were reinstated in their jobs with the cooperation of their employers.

The journalists observed the process of transferring churches to their respective administrations after the completion of renovation works by the district administration. They also interviewed Christians.

The visiting media reporters included representatives from the Washington Post, BBC, AFP, Arab News, Russia Today, and bureau chiefs of different international news agencies in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023