LAHORE, Pakistan – St. Francis High School in Anarkali has been returned to the Archdiocese of Lahore in Pakistan, following years of government control.

“Thanks be to God our Father who is loving and all-compassionate as we welcome the government decision in returning back St. Francis High School to the Archdiocese of Lahore after 30 long years,” said Father Andrew Nisari, parish priest of Mary Immaculate Church in Anarkali, according to Catholic News Agency.

According to the CNA report, St. Francis High School “was founded in 1842, but was taken over by the Pakistani government in 1972 as part of President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s policy of nationalization.”

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Ten years ago, 16 schools were reportedly returned to the Archdiocese of Lahore, except for St. Francis, which remained under government control.

The archdiocese reportedly petitioned in early 2014 that “the rightful title and management of schools be returned to the owners in the equitable interest of the nation’s development.”

One of the teachers, Asif Nazir, told CNA:

We are extremely happy that the school is returned back to the archdiocese to ignite minds and tap talents with innovation and excellence… We see a great hope in the future generation where education with ethics and morals will help in creating a peaceful and harmonious society, which is a need of the hour in the country.

“We will bring this school to such a standard that will produce a bright future of our country,” Fr. Nisari reportedly added. “All children without any distinction are welcome to benefit from this institution.”

Authored by Kimberly Scharfenberger
Originally published here by Catholic Education Daily, an online publication of The Cardinal Newman Society.

Published with permission