News Desk
Lahore, June 16, 2026:
The Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights (JAC) has expressed concern over the recent takeover of Ewing Hall by government authorities, describing the action as a violation of a longstanding lease agreement between the Punjab government and Forman Christian College University (FCCU).
In a statement issued on Monday, JAC said Ewing Hall has been associated with Forman Christian College since 1916 under a lease arrangement that remains valid until 2048.
The committee urged the Punjab government to honor its contractual commitments and restore possession of the historic building to FCCU.
Located near Nila Gumbad in Lahore, Ewing Hall was constructed in 1916 and named after Dr. J.C.R. Ewing, a former principal of Forman Christian College.
Over the decades, the building has served as a student hostel for both FCCU and King Edward Medical College students, accommodating generations of students from diverse religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds.
According to JAC, the building is not only an important example of Lahore’s educational heritage but has also contributed to social cohesion by bringing together students from different communities. The committee argued that preserving the site’s historical significance requires maintaining its educational and residential functions in addition to conserving its physical structure.
The rights group welcomed assurances from the Punjab government that Ewing Hall would be preserved and not demolished. However, it maintained that heritage conservation should extend beyond protecting the building’s architecture and should include safeguarding the purposes for which the site has historically been used.
JAC noted that FCCU suspended the use of Ewing Hall as a hostel in 2018 due to safety concerns and subsequently conducted technical assessments and restoration planning.
The committee said the temporary suspension should not be used as justification for permanently removing the university’s control over the property.
Calling for greater transparency, JAC urged the provincial government to halt further action and engage with all stakeholders.
The committee also called for cooperation between the Punjab government and FCCU to restore and reactivate Ewing Hall as a student residence and educational facility while preserving its historical legacy.