Forces deployed after mob torches churches in Jaranwala
US urges Pakistan probe into violence against minorities
‘Minority Protection Unit’ to secure minorities, their worship places,ICT
Political leadership condemns Jaranwala incident.
Mob vandalises several churches, homes in Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations,
Lahore/Islamabad/Faisalabad _Paramilitary troops have cordoned off a Christian settlement in eastern Pakistan where a Muslim mob vandalised and torched several churches and scores of houses after accusing two of its residents of desecrating the Quran, police and witnesses said on Thursday.
The United States on Wednesday urged Pakistan to investigate mob attacks against churches and Christian homes that broke out in Jaranwala amid blasphemy rumors.
Hundreds of protesters attacked a predominantly Christian area after allegations spread that the Holy Quran had been desecrated.
“We are deeply concerned that churches and homes were targeted in response to reported Koran desecration in Pakistan,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
He said that while the United States backed free expression, “violence or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of expression.”
“We urge Pakistani authorities to conduct a full investigation into these allegations and call for calm,” he said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday offered congratulations to caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar in a post on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
“As Pakistan prepares for free and fair elections, in accordance with its constitution and the rights to freedom of speech and assembly, we will continue to advance our shared commitment to economic prosperity,” Blinken said.
Kakar, who earlier promised “stern action” against the Faisalabad attackers, thanked Blinken in his own post on X.
“The interim government will be assiduously working to facilitate a free and fair election process in Pakistan,” his post said.
“We place importance on our partnership with the US and deeply value the shared commitment to economic prosperity, democracy and stability in the region,” added Kakar.
– Following the Jaranwala violence, the Islamabad police on Thursday formed a “Minority Protection Unit” (MPU) for the protection of minority places of worship and communities.
The unit will comprise 70 personnel and work under the command of the SSP Operations.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the police said, “Seventy jawans (policemen) have been posted in the ‘Minority Protection Unit’.” All field officers will be responsible for protecting residential and sacred places of minorities situated in their areas.
“مینارٹی پروٹیکشن یونٹ” میں 70 جوان تعینات کردیے گئے۔
تمام ڈی پی اوز اپنے علاقہ میں اقلیتی عبادتوں گاہوں اور آبادیوں کی حفاظت کے ذمہ دار ہوں گے۔ ہر ڈویژن کی سطح پر اقلیتی کمیٹیوں سے رابطوں کو مضبوط بنایا جائے گا۔
مینارٹی پروٹیکشن یونٹ ایس ایس پی آپریشنز کی زیر نگرانی فرائض سر…
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) August 17, 2023
The post further said the police would further strengthen contacts with the minorities at the division level.
The unit has been set up a day after violence took place against worship places of minorities in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad.
The district administration has imposed section 144 for seven days for all types of gatherings, while Rangers has been deployed in Jaranwala.
The Jaranwala Town administration has already declared public holiday in the city.
Political leadership and civil society representatives condemned burning of churches incident in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad as enraged mob vandalized churches over alleged blasphemy allegations.
Punjab Interim Information Minister Aamir Mir tweeted on the Jardanwala incident and said as per the preliminary investigation, the heinous act was done under a well-thought-out conspiracy.
“An attempt has been made to spread riots by inciting public sentiments,” he said.
Mir said the investigation of the incident is going on swiftly, adding that, element of conspiracy was prominent in the investigation.
He added that Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed the police and administration to arrest those who take the law into their hands.
He vowed strict action will be taken against the involved persons after the investigation of the incident is completed.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted he was horrified to hear about the attack on Churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad.
Bilawal said, “Violating the sanctity of places of worship is absolutely unacceptable. The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their Churches.”
Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the Jaranwala incident.
President Zardari said that the incident should be investigated. He further said that in our religion, Islam, it is taught that places of worship should be respected.
The spread of terror and chaos in the country should be discouraged, President Zardari said.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said what is happening in Jaranwala is sad and disturbing.
“There is no place for violence in any religion,” he tweeted.
PMLN President Shehbaz Sharif said that all religious places, 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 Ulama, 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 said.
Bring the culprits to book
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak taking to the Twitter said condemned the Jaranwala incident.
“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,” he said.
What really happened in Jarawala?
As per reports, a number of churches included the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area was torched by a mob.
Bishop Azad Marshall, President diocese of Raiwind Church of Pakistan, said, “Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan.”
He said 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,” he further tweeted.
“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,” Bishop Azad Marshall said.
Bishop of Lahore Rt Rev Nadeem Kamran talking to SAMAA Digital condemned the Jaranwala incident.
Frequency, scale of such attacks increased in recent years: HRCP
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that mob-led assault on Christian families and their homes and sites of worship in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, following allegations of blasphemy, must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
The rights body said the frequency and scale of such attacks—which are systematic, violent and often uncontainable appear to have increased in recent years.
“Not only has the state failed to protect its religious minorities, but it has also allowed the far right to permeate and fester within society and politics. Both the perpetrators and instigators of this violence must be identified and punished to the full extent of the law.
“The government must waste no time in raising and equipping special police forces to protect religious minorities’ sites of worship as directed by the 2014 Supreme Court judgment,” the HRCP statement reads.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the violent incidents in Jaranwala Faisalabad. 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 favor of anyone. I demand the Punjab government and administration to bring all the characters behind this heinous act to justice,” she said.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sinjrani condemned the incident and appealed protestors to remain peaceful.
Local holiday announced
Faisalabad deputy commissioner announced a local holiday in district Faisalabad including Tehsil Jaranwala on August 17 (Thursday).
Section 144 imposed in Faisalabad
The district administration Faisalabad imposed Section 144 in district Faisalabad for seven days keeping in view of deteriorating law and order situation. The local administration imposed ban on all kinds of gatherings in the district including Jaranwala.
Protect worship places
PPP senator Farhatullah Babar said that distressing reports of desecration of church in Jaranwala in Faisalabad on social media. Reportedly church burnt, Bibles desecrated and Christians tortured. “Silence of administration deafening. Come out clean, dispense justice, ensure safety and security of citizens, protect worship places,” he said.
As per a notification, Jaranwala assistant commissioner Shaukat Masih, was directed to report to the Services and General Administration (S&GA) and Rana Aurangzeb, the assistant commissioner of Tandianwala, was assigned to oversee affairs in Jaranwala as an additional charge for three months.
World Council of Churches condemns attack on churches in Pakistan
The World Council of Churches is shocked by reports it is receiving of violent attacks against churches and Christians in in Jaranwala district in the Punjab province of Faisalabad, Pakistan.
As per the statement issued, the reports received indicate that six churches have been burnt in a Christian colony of Punjab province, after two Christians were accused of blasphemy. A Presbyterian church, a Catholic Church, a Full Gospel Assembly Church, a Salvation Army centre and other independent churches have reportedly been burnt, and Christian clergy threatened and harassed.
General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay said that these reports illustrate yet again the extremist threats faced by members of the Christian community in Pakistan. The WCC calls on the Pakistani authorities to act urgently and consistently to prevent further such violent attacks and violations of the human rights of Christians in Punjab province or elsewhere in Pakistan.
The WCC has long expressed grave concerns regarding the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on Christians and members of other religious communities, as these latest reports once again indicate. All Pakistanis are entitled to respect and recognition of their equal rights as citizens of the country regardless of their religious affiliation, but once again these incidents demonstrate the gulf between that aspiration – and obligation – and the current reality in the country.
Christians in Pakistan are, as communities, precious and integral members of society in Pakistan. As Pakistan celebrated its 76th Independence Day on the 14th of August, we are reminded of the commitments made at its founding to its diverse communities. We look to the of the wider society to ensure that all communities stand together and protect each other and that the government and the authorities take responsibility for protecting all and ensuring that even the most vulnerable do not have to live in fear.
We invite all WCC member churches and ecumenical and inter-religious partners around the world to join in raising their voices against this violence and oppression, and in prayer for equal human rights, justice and peace in Pakistan.
