PESHAWAR, July 27: The chairman of Pakistan Aqliaty Rabta Party (Pakistan Minorities Coordination Party), Dr Stephen Saleem Hamdard, has voiced concern over dislodging of 25 Christian families from their houses by the D.I.Khan authorities.

He also urged the government to provide the families alternate an place to live.

Mr Hamdard, speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, regretted that the homeless Christians had been living under the open sky since July 19, when the cantonment board demolished their residences in the premises of Protestant Church.

Mr Hamdard stated that these families, who had been living there for the last many decades, had not even been served any notice before the demolition, and they were now living in the plastic tents.

The Christian leader regretted that the priest concerned, Samson Anwer, was also present during the demolition, but he remained silent over the injustice.

He, citing Article 38(d) of the Constitution, stated that it was the responsibility of the state to ensure basic needs of life — food, clothing, housing, education and medical — to all citizens irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race.

He claimed that according to his information the priest concerned had only asked verbally these families to vacate the premises.

He alleged that though the priest had received Rs40,000 from each of the families and assured them that they would not be dislodged from their houses, he did not keep his words.