Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Community in Pakistan, Vandalizing Churches and Setting Houses on Fire
LAHORE, Pakistan, Aug. 16 (Reuters) – A Christian community in eastern Pakistan was targeted by a Muslim crowd on Wednesday, resulting in the vandalism of several churches and the burning of numerous houses. The attack was prompted by accusations that two members of the Christian community had desecrated the Koran, according to local police and community leaders.
The violent incident occurred in Jaranwala, located in the industrial district of Faisalabad, as confirmed by police spokesman Naveed Ahmad. The two accused Christians faced allegations of blasphemy, prompting them and their families to flee their homes.
Shakil Masih, a resident of the area, reported hearing inciting announcements that mobilized the mob towards the Christian neighborhood. “I left my home immediately with my family. Several other families did the same,” he told Reuters.
To handle the situation, the police have cordoned off the area and are currently negotiating with the crowd, said provincial police chief Usman Anwar. The police have established a case against the two Christians, stating that pages of the Koran were found with derogatory remarks written in red.
Blasphemy is a serious offense in Pakistan, punishable by death. Although no one has been executed for blasphemy, several individuals who have been accused have been lynched by outraged crowds. Notably, even a former provincial governor and a minister for minorities were shot dead in the past due to blasphemy accusations.
Human rights groups have raised concerns regarding the misuse of blasphemy accusations to settle personal scores. They argue that hundreds of individuals are unjustly incarcerated while trials are often postponed due to fear of retribution if judges are perceived as lenient.
“The frequency and scale of such attacks — which are systematic, violent, and often uncontainable — appear to have increased in the last several years,” stated the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
The rights group has called for the establishment and equipping of special police forces to protect the sites of worship of religious minorities, in accordance with the 2014 Supreme Court judgment.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar expressed his dismay at the violence and called for stern action against those responsible. “I am gutted by the visuals coming out,” he stated.
In response to the alleged desecration of the Koran, hundreds of people blocked a nearby highway to protest.
Akmal Bhatti, a Christian leader, reported that the crowd had “torched” at least five churches and looted valuables from abandoned houses.
Several social media posts depicted images of churches, houses, and belongings on fire as the police stood by.
According to a government source, the mob consisted of thousands of individuals led by local clerics, predominantly from the Islamist political party Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP). However, the TLP denied inciting the violence and claimed to have collaborated with the police to pacify the situation.
Writing and additional reporting: Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Editing: Angus MacSwan, Nick Macfie, Alexandra Hudson
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Source: Reuters
Author’s Bio:
Shahzad is an accomplished media professional with over two decades of experience. He primarily reports from the regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a keen interest and extensive knowledge of Asia. He also covers politics, economy, finance, business, commodities, Islamist militancy, and human rights.