ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Strongly condemning the vandalism of Churches and Christians homes in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad, the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar has affirmed to take stern action against those responsible for the disgraceful act.
“I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala, Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits & bring them to justice,” Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis,” he added.
Earlier in the day, a distressing incident of alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and desecration of pages of the Holy Quran pages attributed to a Christian man Raja Masih triggered a wave of violence and attacks on churches and homes in Jaranwala.
The deeply unfortunate incident led to mob violence, resulting in the assault of four churches including Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area as well as multiple homes, creating a tumultuous situation for the Christian community.
Taking to X, President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall said that Bibles had been desecrated and Christians were tortured and harassed “having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran”.
“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,” he demanded.
Bishop Marshall added that all priests, bishops and lay people were “deeply pained and distressed” at the incident.
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. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL
— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023
