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Note #8039 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Pakistani president visits Forman Christian College
03529
December 8, 2003

Pakistani president visits Forman Christian College

Historic PC(USA)-related school regains degree-granting authority

by John Filiatreau

LOUISVILLE - During a weekend visit to Forman Christian College (FCC), Gen.
Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, formally returned the school's
management to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and restored its authority to
grant degrees.

	Musharraf also promised government help in establishing and equipping
a new program in information technology at FCC.

	The historic college in Lahore, founded by Presbyterian missionaries
in 1864, was returned to PC(USA) management in March after more than three
decades under the control of Pakistan's Islamic government.

	During a convocation at FCC on Dec. 6, Musharraf called
nationalization of schools "bad public policy," commended the PC(USA) for its
contributions to his country and said his government welcomes all who come in
partnership to help improve education and quality of life in Pakistan.

	Musharraf, an FCC graduate, also expressed gratitude to the PC(USA)
for having sent Dr. Peter Armacost, president emeritus of PC(USA)-related
Eckerd College in Florida, to serve as FCC's principal, continuing what he
called the Presbyterian church's long tradition of sending accomplished
educators to Pakistan.

	He also endorsed FCC's plans to establish Bachelor of Arts and
Bachelor of Science programs that meet U.S. accreditation standards.

	"All in all," said Armacost, "it was a very good day for the
college."

	Also in attendance for the special convocation were the Punjab
governor, Lt. Gen. R. Khalid Maqbool, and the chief minister of the province,
Chaudhray Pervez Elahi.

	In his address, Armacost announced that FCC's board of governors will
contribute to nation-building in Pakistan by helping to meet the nation's
manpower needs through programs in business, commerce and information
technology; increasing educational opportunities for Pakistani women;
addressing a national need for teacher-training programs; and offering a
western-style education that stresses independent and critical thinking,
problem-solving and communication.

	Also during the convocation, distinguished-alumni awards were
presented to eight FCC graduates: Musharraf; Elahi; Ahmad Saeed, chairman of
Pakistan International Airlines; Tariz Aziz, secretary of the National
Security Council; Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa, chief secretary of the government
of Punjab; Abdul Hamid Pracha, chairman of Adam Motor Co. in Karachi;
Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, secretary of education in Punjab; and Jamsheed K.A.
Marker, former president of the United Nations Security Council.

	A formal ceremony turning the college over to the PC(USA) initially
was scheduled for October 2002, and Musharraf was to be the keynote speaker
then. However, when the government announced that summer that it was
denationalizing 60 schools in the Punjab, Pakistani teachers rebelled,
fearing layoffs and transfers. The result was a delay attributed to what
Armacost termed "an uncertain political situation."

	In his address on Saturday, Musharraf said the 1972 nationalization
of the schools was "a political gimmick," and said his government favors the
denationalization of all missionary schools in the country.

	"The nationalized institutions have done a disservice to the cause of
education in Pakistan," he said. "One must not interfere in the working of
institutions that are delivering and doing well. Rather, such institutions
should be allowed to flourish."

He also said that, while such schools must keep in mind that they are
operating in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, they represent no threat to
Islam.

	"I myself studied in St. Patrick School, Karachi, and FC College," he
said, "and no one asked me to proselytize to Christianity. Is our faith and
religion so weak that we cannot face people of other religions?"

	Musharraf said the government has no plans to privatize educational
institutions throughout Pakistan.

	He called education the most important contributor to the progress of
a nation, commenting that Pakistani higher education has been "dismal" in
recent years. He said only a few dozen doctorates have been awarded in the
country in the last half-century.

	"We must not be shy of acquiring modern knowledge and acquainting
ourselves with the latest developments in different fields, fearing that it
may lead to a change in our faith," he said. "We have our own history,
culture, values and traditions. We must learn our own language, but at the
same time we must know that learning English is essential for attaining
proficiency in communication and dealing with other nations."

	The president said FCC can help the younger generation in Pakistan
develop the essential qualities of honesty and truthfulness, and turn away
from greed. He said the PC(USA) should be supported in its efforts to return
the college to the ranks of the best educational institutions in Southeast
Asia.

	"I hope you will not fail this nation, as my generation did," he
said, addressing FCC students. "We failed to do what we were expected to do.
A generation before ours carved out a great country for us, but perhaps my
generation failed to deliver."

	He blamed that failure on the twin evils of corruption and nepotism,
challenging young Pakistanis: "A nation afflicted by these social evils can
never excel in any field, and I call on you to get rid of them."

	The PC(USA) and its partners - the Church of Pakistan and the
Presbyterian Church of Pakistan - have worked for the return of FCC and a
dozen other church schools since they were nationalized. For nearly the past
decade, those talks have been led by S. David Stoner, a former GAC executive
director.

	"Thirty years ago, when Forman was taken away, the Christians in
Pakistan felt like the heart of their community had been ripped out," Stoner
told the Presbyterian News Service in 2002. "What status they had in the
community depended on Forman and the other schools, not to mention their
(provision) of employment."

	Stoner said then that the government's agreement to give back Forman
"reassures me that what we're doing is what God wants us to do at this time,
and is not just happenstance."

	Christians make up just 2 percent of Pakistan's population.

	Officials of the Worldwide Ministries Division estimate the long-term
cost of resurrecting FCC at about $4 million. About one-quarter will come
from PC(USA) restricted funds; the balance is expected from the Pakistan
government, the Christian Education Endowment Trust (CEET), U.S. foreign aid
and funds raised privately.

	CEET was set up in 1969, in anticipation of the nationalizations, to
protect Presbyterian assets in Pakistan.

	There is one other PC(USA)-related college in Pakistan - Gordon
College, in Rawalpindi, also nationalized in 1972.  The denomination hopes to
take it back once FCC is on its feet.

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