PESHAWAR
Members of the Christian community staged a protest demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Saturday, demanding that the government restrain Bishop Humphrey Sarfraz Peters from what they termed illegal actions and interference in diocesan affairs.
The protesters, representing various churches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, appealed to the provincial government, the higher judiciary and heads of relevant institutions to take notice of the situation.
They also called upon the Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, Azad Marshall, to intervene and address their concerns.
The demonstrators alleged that Bishop Humphrey Sarfraz Peters was illegally selling church property and interfering in all financial matters of the Diocese of Peshawar.
They alleged that, as chairman, he had initiated several projects which, according to them, existed only on paper and whose practical implementation could not be verified on the ground.
They further alleged that nepotism was being practised in these projects, with benefits allegedly being extended to family members, while other service providers and members of the diocese and church were not receiving any advantage. The protesters also claimed that salaries of priests were not being paid regularly.
The participants said such actions were damaging the reputation of the church and undermining the sanctity of the sacred office. They urged authorities to consider the future of the Christian community in the province and to ensure justice.
The appeal was jointly supported by church representatives, including members of All Saints Church Peshawar and St. John’s Cathedral Peshawar.
Following the demonstration, the protesters staged a sit-in outside the press club and reiterated their demand for government intervention and action to prevent what they described as illegal measures.
