In a horrifying incident, a mob in Faisalabad’s Jaranwala tehsil vandalized several churches on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations. According to Christian leader Akmal Bhatti, the mob burned down at least five churches and looted valuables from abandoned houses after provocative announcements were made in mosques. Social media images showed smoke rising from the church buildings and people setting fire to furniture. The incident also resulted in the blocking of a nearby highway.
The mob also targeted the house of a Christian cleaner accused of blasphemy. The police have registered a First Information Report against the accused under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Bhatti stated that the vandalized churches were located in narrow lanes, with one main church being targeted. Efforts are being made to contain the situation by engaging peace committees and activating police across the province. The assistant commissioner of the area, who belongs to the Christian community, has been evacuated due to safety concerns.
Christian leaders have accused the police of remaining silent spectators during the incident. The Punjab Home Department has received a request for the deployment of Rangers in the area, but a decision is pending.
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has assured stern action against those who violate the law and target minorities. He stated that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
The incident has received widespread condemnation from various political leaders. President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall demanded justice and action from law enforcement, emphasizing the value of the lives of non-Muslim citizens in their own homeland. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, urging strict action against the perpetrators and calling on scholars and religious leaders to condemn such acts.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called the violation of worship places unacceptable and demanded the safety of the Christian community. Other political leaders, including Sherry Rehman, Afrasiab Khattak, and Shireen Mazari, also condemned the incident and called for accountability.
Religious leaders, led by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, visited Jaranwala to address the situation. They emphasized the shared responsibility of safeguarding worship places and residences of all communities.
This incident adds to the alarming number of blasphemy-related killings in Pakistan. According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), as many as 89 citizens have been killed in blasphemy cases since independence. The misuse of blasphemy laws is often described by courts as unlawful, and there have been calls for amending the laws to prevent false accusations.
It is crucial for the Pakistani government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of religious minorities and hold the perpetrators accountable. The protection of worship places and the promotion of religious harmony should be prioritized to build a more inclusive and tolerant society.