KARACHI, Jan 13: Speakers at a rally, on Tuesday, condemned the government interference into the affairs of a minority community's non-governmental organization , the Young Men Christians' Association (YMCA), and demanded its restoration to its true representatives.

Speaking at the rally, organized by the Christian Students' Association at Karachi Press Club, they said that if the YMCA was not immediately restored to its true representatives, they would launch a countrywide protest movement.

They said that the YMCA was registered in 1913 under the Society's Act of 1860. The land was purchased and building was constructed in 1913, they added.

The speakers pointed out that the YMCA was later registered with the Social Welfare Department (SWD), which they claimed was an illegal act, as the same organization could not be registered with two separate government departments.

They said that some time back the SWD dissolved the controlling body of the YMCA and appointed a caretaker committee. They alleged that the SWD and the land mafia had joined hands to take over the YMCA and they had planned to grab the YMCA's precious land.

The speakers said that the caretaker committee appointed by the department had indulged in corruption, owing to which at least two of the committee members had resigned. If any party was claiming to represent Christians in the Sindh Assembly, they added, it was in fact trying to take over the YMCA and grab its precious land, which would not be allowed.

Among others, the rally was addressed by William Gill, Kelson Amir, Naveed Bachchan. They said sense of insecurity was spreading among the minority communities owing to such attitude of government officials.

The demonstrators chanted slogans in support of their demands. Some of the slogans were, "Save YMCA", "Only Christians have right over YMCA", etc. They were also carrying placards stating, "Mr Governor: Save YMCA, Christian institutions", etc.

Following the speeches, the rally turned into a procession and the demonstrators marched towards SWD office. Later, they marched to the Sindh High Court and chanted slogans in support of their demands.