Muslim residents of Lower Topa while talking to ANS

MURREE, PAKSTAN (ANS) -- A Christian graveyard that was built before creation of Pakistan by the British in Lower Topa, Murree, has been demolished by National High Way Authority (NHA) as the graveyard “falls” in the authority's plan of building a road.

Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Chairman of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) and Christian parliamentarian, has condemned demolition of the graveyard. He said the authority should have let the graveyard remain intact by altering their road building plan.

Condemning demolition of the graveyard, he said the NHA has hurt the sensibilities of Pakistani Christians.

“The demolition of the graveyard will only deepen the sense of deprivation among minorities communities.” said APMA Chief Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti while talking to ANS.

The Muslim residents of the area, whose shops near the graveyard have also been demolished expressed their anger on demolition of the shops as well as on razing of the graveyard.

Muhammad Saeed, 80, resident of Lower Topa Murree, told ANS that the graveyard was built in pre-partition times. He went on to say that it was well-kept and had a boundary as well. Nobody could dare going near it, he said.

Haji Muhammad Safarish, 80, another resident of lower Topa, Murree regretted demolition of the Christian graveyard. He said he was shocked the way NHA had disgraced and humiliated dead bodies during demolition.

Abdul Qayyum, 50 also frowned upon demolition of the graveyard. He told ANS that British soldiers would bury their dead in this graveyard.

“ The concerned authorities should have taken care of the graveyard. I cannot stand humiliation of the dead bodies”, he said.

Iftikhar Abbasi, 47, disclosed that he had witnessed NHA workers hurling a couple of coffins on the road.

The local residents also expressed their anger at the demolition of their shops near the graveyard. Pointing to the alleged dual standards of the concerned authorities, they said the owners of shops in the cantonment area have been offered 2300 rupees per square foot as compensation whereas they have been offered 200 Pakistani rupees per square foot. They also expressed their concern over demolition of the Christian graveyard.

It is pertinent to mention here that the NHA has stopped demolition of the shops and graveyard after shopkeepers staged hunger strike. A considerable part of the graveyard has been demolished and the remaining part of the graveyard would also have been demolished if the shopkeepers had not protested for their own vested interest.

Tehsil Nazim Murree, (Mayor of administrative division) Sardar Muhammad Saleem Khan, while talking to ANS expressed his ignorance at the demolition of the graveyard by the authority. He said the NHA did not informed him. “I condemn demolition of the graveyard. It is humiliation of dead bodies. I would ensure that no further demolition of the graveyard is carried out”, he said.

“We cannot allow anyone to demolish a graveyard whether it belongs to Christian or Muslim community,” he said.

He was of the view that the NHA should have kept the graveyard intact.

Talking to ANS minority councilors of Murree named Simon Javed and John Sardar condemned demolition of the graveyard and described it as injustice and discrimination with Christians.