Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) (FCCU) has reiterated its commitment to preserving and restoring the historic Ewing Hall in Anarkali and welcomed recent indications that all stakeholders support renovation rather than demolition.
In a statement, Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton clarified that FCCU has challenged rental demands related to the nationalization period, questioning the logic of charging rent for decades during which the property remained under government control. The university has also objected to later rental calculations being made on a commercial basis despite FCCU’s non-profit educational status. Responding to recent public discussion, FCCU stated that it had replied to the show-cause notice issued in March 2026 but received only a cover letter without the detailed charges, which were reportedly shared only after the property was taken over.
The university also rejected claims that Ewing Hall remained unused since 2015, stating that the hostel continued operations until 2018 before students were relocated due to concerns about structural safety. Following the Covid-19 period, FCCU commissioned a comprehensive engineering assessment at a cost of nearly PKR 5 million, completed in March 2026, while also engaging with authorities on restoration efforts. FCCU emphasized that student safety guided its decisions regarding Ewing Hall and expressed hope for a collaborative approach that preserves the building’s historic role as an FCCU hostel and continues serving students from diverse backgrounds across Pakistan.