The demolition of Ewing Hall in Lahore has caused deep disappointment and distress among Christians across Pakistan, who regard it as an important part of their historical and educational heritage.

While the Government of Punjab has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the protection and inclusion of religious minorities, actions such as the demolition of Forman’s historic Ewing Hall raise serious concerns about the preservation of the Christian community’s heritage and identity. Such decisions risk undermining confidence in the government’s stated commitment to safeguarding minority rights and promoting religious harmony.

About Ewing Hall

Ewing Hall stood for generations at Forman Christian College, Lahore — one of Pakistan’s oldest and most distinguished institutions of higher learning, founded in 1864 by American Presbyterian missionaries. The hall was regarded by Pakistan’s Christian community as a symbol of educational excellence and a living piece of their historical identity in the subcontinent.

A symbol reduced to rubble

For generations, Ewing Hall stood as a symbol of educational excellence and a significant part of Pakistan’s Christian heritage. The loss of such a historic landmark leaves many feeling vulnerable and unheard. If institutions of national and historical significance can be altered or removed without meaningful consultation, it raises broader questions about the protection of minority cultural and educational assets.

“If institutions of national and historical significance can be altered or removed without meaningful consultation, it raises broader questions about the protection of minority cultural and educational assets.”

A call for dialogue and accountability

This is a critical moment for community leaders, civil society, and government representatives to engage in constructive dialogue. The concerns of Pakistan’s Christian community deserve a transparent, respectful, and prompt response from those in authority.

Our Call to Action

  • We respectfully call upon the Government of Punjab to provide a transparent explanation of the decision-making process behind the demolition of Ewing Hall.
  • We urge the government to engage directly with the administration of Forman Christian College in open and meaningful dialogue.
  • We ask that all stakeholders explore every possible avenue to preserve the institution’s historic legacy and the heritage it represents.
  • We urge all parties to work together in a spirit of justice, accountability, and mutual respect so that confidence can be restored and minority concerns addressed fairly.

We urge all stakeholders to work together so that confidence can be restored and the concerns of the Christian community can be addressed fairly and promptly. The preservation of heritage is not a sectarian matter — it is a test of a nation’s commitment to the pluralism and diversity it proclaims.

Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah
KA

Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah

Pioneer theologian — first woman in Pakistan to study theology and be ordained as a Priest

Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah is a pioneering figure in Pakistan’s Christian community and a prominent advocate for minority rights, women’s leadership in the Church, and interfaith understanding. She writes regularly on faith, justice, and the Christian experience in Pakistan.

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