On the 23rd of December 2004 the Church of Pakistan Missionary Partners Forum has issued a statement from Scotland, through their Secretary Mr. Sandy Sneddon, challenging the official status of the CoP News Service and the correspondences on the subject of the Church of Pakistan and its issues. It is interesting to note that the Partners of the Church of Pakistan have come in front after the announcements of the orders of the Honourable High Court of Lahore for the cancellation of the sales of the Church properties by the LDTA (Lahore Diocesan Trust Association) headed by Bishop Alexander John Malik. In the orders dated 10.12.2004 the Honourable High Court, Lahore has restrained that Bishop of Lahore and the management of the LDTA from the sale of Church properties. It may also be noted that since 08.09.2003 a stay order is also prevailing against the Synod of the Church of Pakistan, in Suit no. 970/2003 at the Honourable High Court of Sindh at Karachi. Following is the statement issued by the CPMPF. “In recent months many people have received a large number of e-mails commenting on various issues affecting the Church of Pakistan. While the Church of Pakistan Mission Partners Forum acknowledges that there are areas of concern, the members wish to make it clear that the Church of Pakistan has no official News Service. To the best of our knowledge, these e-mails come from one particular group within the Church of Pakistan and are not representative of the wider church membership. The Mission Partners Forum are concerned that the use of e-mails and media to spread discontent has been exploited by others who use these messages as evidence of splits and a lack of unity in the Church. This may further undermine the Church’s task of witness and service in Pakistan. Many people in Pakistan and around the world rejoice and give thanks at the recent moves towards reconciliation within the Church of Pakistan. We hope that all parties involved would acknowledge God’s grace and the spirit of forgiveness that has led to this. We urge Christians who have a burden for the Church of Pakistan to keep this reconciliation in your prayers and to urge all parties to be open to the grace and leading of the Lord and work for forgiveness and unity in the Church. This does not mean that problems are ignored or denied, but that they may be resolved in a way that bears the mark of faith in Jesus Christ. Yours faithfully Sandy Sneddon Assistant Secretary (Asia) World Mission Church of Scotland