Multiple churches were vandalized and burned down by an irate mob in the Jaranwala tehsil area of Faisalabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations.
Speaking on the attacks on the churches, a Christian leader, Akmal Bhatti, stated that the mob had torched no fewer than five churches and looted valuables from houses that had been abandoned by their owners after clerics made announcements in mosques inciting the violence.
Images making the rounds on social media showed smoke rising from the burning church buildings and people setting fire to furniture that had been dragged from them.
Also, a Christian cemetery was vandalized by the mob, as was the local government office. Dozens of people blocked a nearby highway as well.
Speaking to Dawn, Jaranwala pastor Imran Bhatti stated that the ransacked churches included the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church, situated in the Isa Nagri area.
He also stated that the mob demolished the house of a Christian cleaner accused of blasphemy.
Meanwhile, the police registered a first information report against the accused under sections 295B (defiling, etc., of the Holy Quran) and 295C (use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Speaking to the press, Punjab police chief Usman Anwar said the police were “negotiating” with the protesters and the area had been cordoned off.
“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 vandalized portions of the churches,” he said.
The police spokesman further stated that efforts were underway to contain the situation by engaging with peace committees, and police across the province had been activated. However, No arrests have been made so far.
“The assistant commissioner of the area, a member of the Christian community, has also been evacuated after people turned against him,” Anwar added.
However, Christian leaders alleged that the police remained silent spectators while the mob carried out the burnings of the worship centers.
Commenting on the incident, newly appointed interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated that stern action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.
In a tweet via his verified Twitter handle, Kakar said “All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice,” adding that the government stands with “our citizenry on an equal basis”.
