The issue of land grabbing continues in the Christian villages of Muzzafargarh.  Around 80-85 Christian and Muslim peasants of Sadiqabad village staged a protest on 27-28 May at the Chawk Sarwar Shaheed (or Chawk Munda) to call government to investigate the cases of: 1) illegal allotment to retired military personnel, 2) eviction in Muzzafargarh, 3) return of grabbed lands and 4) take legal actions against land grabbers.

The peasants have formed the “Christian Muslim Unity” to show their unity in stopping illegal allotments of their lands to retired army officers, with seven members forming a committee to represent them in court.  Together with peasants of village Azizabad, the Committee filed a writ petition in Civil Court of Muzzafargarh, and the court issued the stay orders on the land until 2 September 2008.

They also filed a writ in the Lahore High Court Multan Bench against the illegal allotment of land.  The court heard the case on 15 July 2008 and asked the district administration and revenue for the report.

To support local campaigns against land grabbing, Hotline Asia issued UA070317(1) in March 2007, adding to the voice to urge authorities to investigate the cases of evictions and land grabbing, return of the lands to families and ensure protection of properties of religious minorities in Pakistan.


Source:
Local Source