Christian community rejoices over getting back control of their college

In June 2021, a court order declared Edwardes College in Peshawar to be nationalised.

When the Church of Pakistan reclaimed control of the province's oldest missionary education school, Christians all across country were delighted.

"We celebrate and thank God for the resolution of the Edwardes College situation. Shunila Ruth, parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, said, "I truly wish to thank my dear Prime Minister [Imran Khan], who has always stood with the minorities and the Christian community."

"This is a community-wide New Year's present." Our stand had come to an end since the church had lost its college control. The government was not easily persuaded. We now have control of the college to the extent of 75 percent. According to Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey Peters of Peshawar, "the hold has enhanced our identity."

The Church Missionary Society founded Edwardes College Peshawar in 1900, and the Lahore Diocesan Trust Association took over the college in 1956.

Our educational institutions were never intended to be profit-making enterprises. Because of this, Christians are still on the fringes.

Since the government took over missionary establishments in Punjab and Sindh provinces in 1972, nationalisation of church schools and colleges has been a major source of worry for both Catholic and Protestant groups. Between 1985 and 2004, it denationalised them without offering any compensation.