ASIA/PAKISTAN - Three missionary nuns forced to leave Pakistan

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - Three Filipino missionary nuns of the Congregation of the "Religious of the Virgin Mary" will have to leave Pakistan. The High Court in Islamabad has in fact confirmed the decision of the Ministry of Interior, denying the religious to extend their visa in order to stay in the country.
The Church of Islamabad had appealed to the Court. The court, said that the government of Pakistan, has "the right to grant or deny visas to foreigners". According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, the expulsion is motivated by complaints from some parents of school students against the administration of the Convent School of Islamabad, founded and run by the nuns. The Interior Ministry ordered an investigation and sent inspectors. At the end of the investigation the government refused to renew the visa to the three nuns. As Fides learns, the Convent School will continue its educational activity, thanks to the teaching staff, who are almost all Pakistani. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 01/07/2015)