LAHORE: Multiple churches were attacked on Wednesday in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations.
Media reports stated that a mob of over 100 people stormed a local Christian neighbourhood in Jaranwala and set ablaze at least one church, the Salvation Army Church, one of the oldest in the area. The United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church situated in Isa Nagri were also reportedly ransacked.
Locals accused the police of standing by as spectators as hundreds of people, armed with sticks and batons, vandalised the churches besides ransacking and even burning homes in the residential area.
As panic spread in the area, traders shut down shops and a strike was called. The situation remained tense despite policemen led by the Jaranwala SP being present on site. The mob also blocked the area surrounding Cinema Chowk.
The police attempted to give assurances of action against the blasphemy accused but the mob remained adamant that they would hang the accused themselves.
The mob was reportedly incited using loudspeakers of mosques in the area over reports of alleged desecration of religious scriptures by three Christians, suggested videos and messages posted on social media by people of the area.
An FIR was lodged against the persons accused of blasphemy under Sections 295B [pertaining to the desecration of the Holy Quran] and 295C [use of derogatory remarks…in respect of the Holy Prophet] of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The police have yet to take action against the mob that caused panic and terror in the area besides damaging private property.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Jardanwala Shaukat Masih has been immediately transferred and Rana Aurangzeb, the Assistant Commissioner Tandliwala, has been given the additional charge.
A notification has been issued by Services and General Administration Department Punjab in this connection.
Rangers paramilitary force has been called in to normalise the situation.
In a statement made on social media, the president Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad called for justice.
“A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harassed having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran. We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that strict action will be taken against those who targeted minorities by violating the law in Jaranwala.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he expressed regret over the incident in Jaranwala and assured that strict action will be taken against those who took the law into their hands and targeted minorities. The caretaker premier said that the news received from Jaranwala, Faisalabad has deeply saddened him, adding that strict action will be taken against those who violated the law and targeted the minorities.
He said that all law enforcers have been instructed to arrest the miscreants involved in these incidents and punish them accordingly. He said that the government of Pakistan stands by its minorities.
Former prime minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sahrif described the incident a “sad and disturbing”.
Taking to X, he said there is no place for violence in any religion. “All religious places, Holy Books and personages are sacred and deserve our highest level of respect. I urge the government to take action against the culprits. I also appeal to Ulema, Mashaykh and religious scholars from all schools of thought to come forward and condemn the reprehensible actions. Such madness can’t be allowed. Pakistan belongs to all religious minorities,” he added.
Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also denounced the act of violence against the minority community, saying “horrified to hear about the attack on Churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad.”
Writing on his official X handle, he said, “Violating the sanctity of places of worship is absolutely unacceptable. The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their Churches.”
PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz also strongly condemned the violent incidents in Jaranwala.
Taking to X, she said attacks on religions and religious places of worship are not acceptable in any way. “The Pakistani state is bound to provide equal rights and protection to minorities. Provocation and extremism are not in favour of anyone. I demand the Punjab government and administration to bring all the characters behind this heinous act to justice.”
Meanwhile, other users from different walks of life called on the Punjab government to take action against the mob, which reportedly chanted slogans in support of a far-right religio-political party as it resorted to violence against a neighbourhood housing over 500 Christian families.
“We as Pakistani can’t allow the madness happening in Jaranwala. The Punjab government should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes. We have a responsibility toward the minorities in our country, and we couldn’t let the crisis worsen any further! [sic],” wrote Senator Sarfraz Bugti on X.
Condemning the mob violence, former senator Afrasiab Khattak said, “Pakistani state has failed to provide security to the worship places of people who follow religions other than Islam. Impunity to the crimes committed in the name of religion has emboldened extremists and terrorists. Bring the culprits to book”.
“Where are the voices for this atrocity and this shameful disrespect of the Christian Community of Pakistan,” asked actor and activist Nadia Jamil. “These people are what give Pakistan a bad name! They should be locked up for good!”
Journalist Asad Ali Toor shared a copy of the FIR registered against those accused of blasphemy and called attention to the lack of action against the Muslim majority mob.
Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah condemned the “dastardly attack” on churches in Jaranwala. “Extremism and hatred nullify the fundamental principles of Islam,” he wrote.
The National Commission of Human Rights also condemned the mob attack and expressed concern over the rising number of such cases.
“NCHR team has gone to the site. Govt must take strong action against perpetrators & ensure writ of law,” said the federal body.__Tribune.com
