Terror cases against hundreds as Jaranwala incident stirs outcry far and wide,
US says violence, threats never acceptable,
Lahore/Faisalabad/Washington_The Jaranwala police on Thursday registered terror cases against more than 600 people for “vandalising multiple churches and torching homes belonging to the Christian community,”
According to the FIR, a mob of 500-600, who were led by a group of people, “attacked the Christian community, ransacked people’s homes after entering them and torched Christians’ homes and the church building”.
The FIR invoked sections 7(1)(d), 7(1)(j), 7(1)(g) and 7(1)(h) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
It also invoked sections 148, 149, 153A, 186, 295, 295A, 324, 353, 427, 436 and 452 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The FIR also included sections 5 and 6 of the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government also ordered the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident, in line with directives issued by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq.
In a statement, Punjab police said it had made over 100 arrests while Rangers had also been called in.
In light of the situation, the district administration has imposed Section 144 for seven days, prohibiting all kinds of assembly, except for events organised by the government.
Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar took notice of incidents that took place in Jaranwala city of Punjab’s Faisalabad district.
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), PM Kakar wrote, “I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala, Faisalabad.”
He vowed, “Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis. The Jaranwala police have registered two terrorism cases against hundreds of people a day after mob ransacked homes and religious places of a minority community over alleged desecration of Quran.
Police have also arrested some of the suspects as condemnations and calls for action grow.
Earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the Jaranwala incident and said the people involved in this incident would not be spared under any circumstances.
Giving a weekly briefing, the spokesperson said the prime minister strongly condemned the incident in Faisalabad and the people of Pakistan were also saddened by the treatment of the Christian community.
She said Pakistan was in contact with foreign governments about the progress on the political situation in the country. Pakistan was ensuring security of all Chinese citizens, she said.
Peace in the region, especially South Asia, was in the interest of both Pakistan and America. She said Pakistan condemned Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir. She said the Pakistan government would continue to convey the voice of Kashmiris to the whole world on the current situation in Kashmir.
Baloch said the dialogue between Iran and Saudi Arabia was a welcome move. Pakistan and Iran were bound by the same religion and culture.
Talking about Pakistan-Afghan relations, the Foreign Office said Pakistan had repeatedly said that it wanted peace in Afghanistan.
“We are deeply concerned about terrorism emanating from Afghanistan which is affecting relations between both countries,” she said.
Baloch further said Pakistan welcomed Russian government’s act of celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day. The people of Pakistan thanked the Russian people and authorities for celebrating the day.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday said he was “gutted” over the Jaranwala incident involving the attack on minorities, assuring that strict action would be taken against law violators.
“I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala, Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities,” the prime minister wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
In his press briefing of August 16, Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, said the US was concerned over the incident.
The US speaks about the right to peaceful freedom of speech and the right to freedom of religion and belief for everyone.
He hoped the Pakistani authorities fully investigate the incident, and urged the people of Pakistan to remain peaceful.
“So we are deeply concerned that churches and homes were targeted in response to reported Quran desecration in Pakistan. We support peaceful freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion and belief for everybody,” Mr Patel said.
He further remarked that the US has previously said it is always concerned about incidents of religiously motivated violence.
“Violence or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of expression, and we urge Pakistani authorities to conduct a full investigation into these allegations and call for calm for all of those involved,” he concluded his remarks.
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