Blab Politics
Punjab Seizes Ewing Hall of Forman Christian College, Sparking Minority Rights Concerns
On June 11, 2026, Punjab’s Board of Revenue seized Ewing Hall, a 1916 colonial‑era hostel that has served Forman Christian College University (FCCU) for more than a century. The takeover, framed by the government as part of the Lahore Heritage Area Revival Project, has drawn sharp criticism from Christian leaders, alumni and minority‑rights advocates who fear the move could permanently deprive the Presbyterian Church of the property.
Ewing Hall sits in Lahore’s bustling Anarkali Bazaar and was first leased to FCCU in 1915. The lease has been renewed several times, with the latest extension carrying the building into the 2040s. According to Rector Jonathan Addleton, FCCU received a single telephone call on the morning of June 11, giving the university only 24 hours to remove movable items—generators, furniture and historical artifacts. Addleton called the action a “forcible takeover” and urged the government to return the property and involve all stakeholders, especially Pakistan’s minority communities. A video statement posted on the university’s Facebook page on June 12 attracted more than 233,000 views.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari offered a contrasting narrative in a Dawn interview on June 14. She said the lease had expired and had not been renewed for several years. Bokhari explained that the property was reclaimed to restore historic buildings in Lahore and cited unpaid lease payments dating back to 1975. Documents released by the government show alleged liabilities totalling 107.79 million rupees (about $387,000), split into 29.19 million rupees accrued between 1975 and 2018 and 78.59 million rupees calculated for 2018 to 2026. The records also contend that the land was leased exclusively for educational purposes but had not been used as such since 2015.
Reuben Qamar, a pastor at the Presbyterian Church on the FCCU campus, said the college had refused to pay the lease during the three decades of nationalization when the building was under government possession. He added that negotiations were underway to reduce the lease amount when the takeover occurred, but he remained doubtful about the property’s return. Qamar noted that the 6,070‑square‑meter site was vacated in 2018 after cracks appeared in the structure and the COVID‑19 pandemic that followed, and that a professional firm had only recently completed a safety assessment.
FCCU, founded in 1864 by American Presbyterian missionaries, was nationalized in 1972 and returned to Presbyterian Church management in 2003. It is Pakistan’s only church‑run chartered university. The seizure has raised concerns that minority institutions could face similar losses. Nasir William, convener of Minority Forum Pakistan, called the action a violation of minority rights and demanded a transparent and impartial investigation. He said the move “violates constitutional and legal principles” and threatens the protection and dignity of minorities.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of nationalized church properties. According to the Lahore‑based Centre for Social Justice, 118 church‑owned educational institutions remained under provincial government control as of June 2020. William noted that past discussions about returning some properties, such as Rang Mahal School, had not materialized.
On June 13, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan described Ewing Hall as a building of “historical, educational, and cultural significance.” The commission warned that the reported eviction deadline raised “serious questions about transparency, due process, and the stewardship of shared heritage,” and urged authorities to protect the building’s physical integrity.
The seizure has sparked a debate over heritage preservation versus the rights of minority institutions. The government maintains that the takeover is lawful under the heritage revival mandate, while Christian leaders and minority advocates argue that the action threatens the long‑standing educational mission of FCCU and sets a precedent for other church‑run schools. As of now, the property remains under government control, and no formal decision has been announced regarding its future status.
The next steps will likely involve legal challenges from FCCU and minority groups, potential appeals to the judiciary, and further scrutiny by human‑rights bodies. The outcome will determine whether Ewing Hall can be returned to the Presbyterian Church or remain under provincial stewardship as part of Lahore’s heritage restoration efforts.
Ewing Hall sits in Lahore’s bustling Anarkali Bazaar and was first leased to FCCU in 1915. The lease has been renewed several times, with the latest extension carrying the building into the 2040s. According to Rector Jonathan Addleton, FCCU received a single telephone call on the morning of June 11, giving the university only 24 hours to remove movable items—generators, furniture and historical artifacts. Addleton called the action a “forcible takeover” and urged the government to return the property and involve all stakeholders, especially Pakistan’s minority communities. A video statement posted on the university’s Facebook page on June 12 attracted more than 233,000 views.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari offered a contrasting narrative in a Dawn interview on June 14. She said the lease had expired and had not been renewed for several years. Bokhari explained that the property was reclaimed to restore historic buildings in Lahore and cited unpaid lease payments dating back to 1975. Documents released by the government show alleged liabilities totalling 107.79 million rupees (about $387,000), split into 29.19 million rupees accrued between 1975 and 2018 and 78.59 million rupees calculated for 2018 to 2026. The records also contend that the land was leased exclusively for educational purposes but had not been used as such since 2015.
Reuben Qamar, a pastor at the Presbyterian Church on the FCCU campus, said the college had refused to pay the lease during the three decades of nationalization when the building was under government possession. He added that negotiations were underway to reduce the lease amount when the takeover occurred, but he remained doubtful about the property’s return. Qamar noted that the 6,070‑square‑meter site was vacated in 2018 after cracks appeared in the structure and the COVID‑19 pandemic that followed, and that a professional firm had only recently completed a safety assessment.
FCCU, founded in 1864 by American Presbyterian missionaries, was nationalized in 1972 and returned to Presbyterian Church management in 2003. It is Pakistan’s only church‑run chartered university. The seizure has raised concerns that minority institutions could face similar losses. Nasir William, convener of Minority Forum Pakistan, called the action a violation of minority rights and demanded a transparent and impartial investigation. He said the move “violates constitutional and legal principles” and threatens the protection and dignity of minorities.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of nationalized church properties. According to the Lahore‑based Centre for Social Justice, 118 church‑owned educational institutions remained under provincial government control as of June 2020. William noted that past discussions about returning some properties, such as Rang Mahal School, had not materialized.
On June 13, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan described Ewing Hall as a building of “historical, educational, and cultural significance.” The commission warned that the reported eviction deadline raised “serious questions about transparency, due process, and the stewardship of shared heritage,” and urged authorities to protect the building’s physical integrity.
The seizure has sparked a debate over heritage preservation versus the rights of minority institutions. The government maintains that the takeover is lawful under the heritage revival mandate, while Christian leaders and minority advocates argue that the action threatens the long‑standing educational mission of FCCU and sets a precedent for other church‑run schools. As of now, the property remains under government control, and no formal decision has been announced regarding its future status.
The next steps will likely involve legal challenges from FCCU and minority groups, potential appeals to the judiciary, and further scrutiny by human‑rights bodies. The outcome will determine whether Ewing Hall can be returned to the Presbyterian Church or remain under provincial stewardship as part of Lahore’s heritage restoration efforts.
