Khana Dak

Shamim Masih

view of the Christian Colony across Korang Nala

Islamabad: Christians of Khana Dak celebrated Independence Day across the Korang Nala, where, they have no access to road. The local government has turned cold face towards this community. Residents raised small funds, which awfully short of the total budget. On 69^th Independence Day celebration of Pakistan, I was invited to join the celebration at Khana Dak, (a Christian colony with more than 70 houses). There, Rah-e-Nijat Ministry arranged singing and debate competition for young church members, with the local priest. We drove through the pasture. The event was good and we all enjoyed, at the end youngsters were encouraged distributing shields to the winners.

Resident crossing over the wall of colony

But I noticed the disheveled existence of the local community in the area. This community lives across the Korang Nala, or Korang River, (Korang River is the outlet stream of Rawal Dame. This stream crosses Islamabad Express Highway from Korang Town and Judicial Colony). This river strikes this colony every year and destroys what meager housing the poor have which includes the elimination of food supplies, crops, and form animals. The recent and last year, I met with victims of the massive deluge but these Christians received no help from the authorities. They have been affected by the flood every year and yet no disaster recovery plan or infrastructure has been put in place to enhance their safety or security. Another difficulty they face that owner of the nearby colony (Qutbal Town) have banned their way to road. Last year, when there was a flood all around but there is no passage to this colony.  

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This year, the residents have been able to negotiate with the owner of the town and got the passage towards the road side. But there is a problem to construct the bridge on the Korang Nala. The local government should construct a bridge on the nala but Capital Development Authority (CDA) does not fulfill its responsibility. The families have been working together to arrange funds. In the meantime, they raised funds for two big pipes. But this is woefully short of the level they need. There is urgent call to support for the downtrodden families.

During the last year, when government agencies and charities have set up temporary shelter in the forms of tents and providing food, clean water and medical aid in the flood affected areas, poor Christians of this area as well as layyah, Sharoon Colony and Gilgit were overlooked and forgotten. Christian communities have survived quite miraculously and remain unscathed. Victims had lost most of their possessions which had been washed away with their homes or irretrievably ruined by water damage and bruising carriage via the water surge.

Presently, Rah-e-Nijat Ministry® is raising funds for the construction of the bridge; sources said that the total cost of the project is more than 2.5 million Pak rupees. Please help them by giving financially, that they might continue the work. I hope hearts are stirred to offer help to these victims, as I believe one day we all have to answer to our maker.

For donation and any further you can contact to Shamim at shamimpakistan@gmail.com, or Safdar Saleem at: rahenijatm@gmail.com