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The Sindh Government has introduced a new bill which could land an offender for seven years in prison in order to protect the places of worship of the minorities from the "land mafia". "Religious buildings are only supposed to be used for religious purposes. Anyone found violating the (proposed) law could be sent to prison for seven years and slapped with a fine," The Express Tribune quoted MPA Saleem Khokhar, as saying. The Protection of Religious Minorities Properties Act 2012 is expected to be ready this week. Khokhar, who is the chairman of the standing committee on minority affairs, said the bill would prohibit people from illegally taking control of religious places such as temples, churches and gurdwaras, and turning them into commercial establishments. Karachi alone has about 500 churches. Hostels, seminaries and other religious and recreational properties that belong to minorities would be given protection as well. With the passing of the bill, matters pertaining to those houses of worship, which are embedded controversies or have been taken over illegally would hopefully be resolved.

Sindh Bill to protect religious places of minorities from land mafia