Minister takes strict notice of damage caused to church.

LAHORE -- Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs (HR and MA) Ijaz Alam Augustine, on Sunday, visited Sheikhupura and took strict notice of damage caused to a church in Pind Hakimpur area of the district by unidentified persons.

According to a handout issued on Sunday, he directed the police officials to immediately register an FIR and ensure protection of the church.

The provincial minister was informed by the police officials that a dispute was going on between two groups over the ownership of one-and-a-half kanals of land adjacent to the church. A few days ago, a party claimed ownership of 6-marla land on the church premises, and damaged the door and a wall of the church. Police took immediate action and started raids to arrest the accused. However, the accused could not be arrested till filing of the report.

The minister directed the district administration to conduct a transparent inquiry into the matter and submit a detailed report within a week. He said that during the PTI government, no one would be allowed to hurt any religious community as the protection of human rights in the...