Churches Vandalised In Pakistan Over Blasphemy Allegations

A wave of destructive acts unfolded in Pakistan's Faisalabad as several churches were vandalized and Christian settlements were plundered after a Christian family faced allegations of blasphemy.

The incident occurred in Faisalabad's Jaranwala district on Wednesday. Outrage within the local Muslim community was sparked when a Christian man, employed as a cleaner, was accused of making derogatory comments about the Quran. In the aftermath, not only was his residence demolished, but an angry mob also targeted churches and other Christian enclaves in the vicinity.

Videos circulating on social media depicted a frenzied mob ascending churches and disrespecting the holy cross, a revered symbol for Christians.

Footage also highlighted Muslim clerics instigating the mob to mobilize should the police fail to take action against the alleged "blasphemers."

According to Dawn, Punjab police chief Usman Anwar mentioned that negotiations with the protesters were underway, and the area had been cordoned off. Nonetheless, local Christians expressed dissatisfaction, asserting that the police remained passive spectators as their homes were pillaged.

The police lodged a first information report (FIR) against the accused Christian man under sections 295B (disrespect of the Holy Quran) and 295C (derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet) of the Pakistan Penal Code, as reported by Dawn.

Usman Anwar, the police chief, stated to Dawn, "There are narrow lanes [in the area] in which small two to three marla churches are located and there is one main church...they have vandalised portions of the churches."

Azad Marshall, the President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to convey that Bibles were desecrated and Christians faced torment and harassment while being falsely accused of transgressing the Holy Quran.

Expressing a plea for justice and prompt intervention, Bishop Marshall emphasized, "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."

Former senator Afrasiab Khattak condemned the incident, remarking, "This is condemnable. 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."