LAHORE, Oct 31: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has directed the Punjab government to grant proprietary rights to Christian dwellers of different settlements in the city. He was speaking at jubilee celebrations of the St. Joseph Church on Sarfraz Rafiqui Road here on Friday.

The prime minister said granting of proprietary rights was a provincial subject, and added he had asked Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to resolve problems of the Christian community in this regard.

He said the decision regarding two holidays on Christmas i.e. Dec 25-26 would be made after consulting the federal cabinet. Mr Jamali said he had asked the Punjab chief minister to take steps for resolving the problems confronting the minorities living in the districts of Lahore, Kasur and Sialkot.

Responding to a demand for government’s assistance for St. Joseph extension project, the prime minister asked the Christian leaders to work out a plan and present it to him. “We will extend every possible help for this project,” he said.

He said the Christian community was enjoying equal rights in Pakistan under the constitution. Referring to the end of the separate electorate system, he said minorities in Pakistan now had a privilege of double vote against majority’s one vote. Mr Jamali also announced a grant of Rs5 million for the St. Joseph Church. He prayed for the well-being of Pope Paul-II and appreciated his services for the promotion of peace. On a demand for appointment of MNA Akram Masih Gill as a minister in the federal government, he said only the PML leadership could take any decision in this regard. Earlier, the prime minister unveiled 150-year anniversary celebrations plaque of the church. MNA Akram Gill thanked the prime minister for a grant of Rs10 million for dualization of the Maryamabad Road. He also thanked President Musharraf for reintroducing the joint electorate system and returning missionary schools to churches.—APP