- Caretaker PM vows stern action against culprits behind vandalism of churches
- Police lodge FIR, religious leaders visit area to normalize situation
FAISALABAD/LAHORE: An enraged mob vandalised multiple churches in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations and paramilitary Rangers have been called in and Section 144 imposed to normalize the situation.
A Christian leader, Akmal Bhatti, said the crowd had torched at least five churches and looted valuables from houses that had been abandoned by their owners after clerics made announcements in mosques inciting the mob.
Images on social media showed smoke rising from the church buildings and people setting fire to furniture that had been dragged from them. A Christian cemetery was also vandalised, as well as the local government office.
Jaranwala pastor Imran Bhatti told Dawn.com 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 added that the mob also 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.
On the other hand, the Punjab government said in a press release that directives had been issued for a “high-level inquiry” into the incident.
The provincial government attributed the incident to a “planned conspiracy under which an attempt was made to destroy peace in Pakistan”. It said that the “Holy Quran was desecrated and the sentiments of Muslims were hurt”.
The press release further said announcements were made from mosques that action was being taken against the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran, but the situation had aggravated by then.
It added that due to timely action by the police and administration, announcements were made in mosques that the authorities were taking action, but tensions had already escalated due to the alleged desecration.
“Around five to six thousand people gathered in various areas of Jaranwala in different groups, attempting to attack minority settlements. The police foiled their attempts at several places and damage to several buildings was also prevented due to timely action,” the press release read. “But continued attempts to attack Christian settlements in different areas and police continued to safeguard these localities.”
It said a peace committee was immediately mobilised, and together with members from different political parties, condemned the incident. They also assured that no party was in favour of damaging any properties owned by any of the minority communities.
According to the press release, no loss of life was reported during the incident while police had made over 100 arrests so far. Moreover, it said, footage of the incidents was being analysed through scientific methods and the Rangers too had been called to the area.
“Large contingents of police remain deployed in several area and continue to perform their duties,” the press release said, adding that security had also been also provided “to all places of worship”.
It said the Faisalabad commissioner and other officials were present near the Jaranwala.
Section 144 was imposed in Faisalabad district for seven days due to the “prevailing overall security situation”, according to a notification from the deputy commissioner’s office.
The section of the Code of Criminal Procedure empowers the district administration to issue orders in the public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time.
Earlier, spokesperson for the Punjab chief secretary Imtiazul Hassan informed the media that the Rangers have been called to the area.
He said the Punjab chief secretary and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar were visited the scene, claiming that the “situation was under control”.
Earlier, 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 vandalised portions of the churches,” he said while speaking to Dawn.com.
The official stated that efforts were under way to contain the situation by engaging with peace committees and police across the province had been activated. 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.
On the other hand, Christian leaders alleged that the police remained silent spectators.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) earlier, 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”.
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
“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.
Caretaker PM vows to take action against culprits involved in churches vandalism
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday directed law enforcement agencies to apprehend culprits behind the vandalisation of churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations.
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 and bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands… https://t.co/GHWUGA1NNq
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 16, 2023
“I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala, Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities,” said Kakar in a post on X, the microblogging website formerly known as Twitter.
The interim premier also said that all law enforcement agencies have asked to “apprehend culprits and bring them to justice”.
“Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis,” he added.
Religious leaders visit Jaranwala: Ashrafi
Separately, Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said religious leaders visited Jaranwala on Wednesday to address the situation.
In a joint statement issued by the PUC and International Interfaith Harmony Council (IIHC), he said religious leaders actively engaged with the community to stabilise the situation and foster an environment of understanding.
Molana Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, a religious cleric and the appointed leader of the All Pakistan Ulema Council in Pakistan, strongly denounces the abhorrent assault perpetrated against the church.This assault has been categorized as a sectarian act. pic.twitter.com/plbNJQrXJT
— TweeterBeez® (@tweeterbeez) August 16, 2023
“The leadership of PUC and IIHC underscored the shared responsibility of safeguarding worship places and residences of all communities.
“They assured that the protection of the religious places was not only the duty of the Muslim populace but also a responsibility upheld by the state,” the statement added.
On the other hand, Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho has directed authorities to remain on high alert in the city and increase intelligence outside temples, churches, mosques and all other worship places.
Former prime minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sahrif described the incident a “sad and disturbing”.
Taking to X, he said there is no place for violence in any religion. “All religious places, Holy 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 Ulema, 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 added.
What is happening in Jaranwala is sad and disturbing. There is no place for violence in any religion. All religious places, Holy 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…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 16, 2023
Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also denounced the act of violence against the minority community, saying “horrified to hear about the attack on Churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad.”
Horrified to hear about the attack on Churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, Violating the sanctity of places of worship is absolutely unacceptable. The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their Churches.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 16, 2023
Writing on his official X handle, he said, “Violating the sanctity of places of worship is absolutely unacceptable. The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their Churches.”
PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz also strongly condemned the violent incidents in Jaranwala.
جڑانوالہ فیصل آباد میں ہونے والے پرتشدد واقعات کی پرزور مذمت کرتی ہوں۔ مذاہب اور مذہبی عبادت گاہوں پر حملےکسی طور بھی قابلِ قبول نہیں۔ پاکستانی ریاست اقلیتوں کو مساوی حقوق اور تحفظ فراہم کرنے کی پابند ہے۔ اشتعال انگیزی اور انتہا پسندی کسی کے حق میں نہیں۔ میرا پنجاب حکومت اور…
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 16, 2023
Taking to X, 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 favour of anyone. I demand the Punjab government and administration to bring all the characters behind this heinous act to justice.”
جڑانوالہ میں قرآن پاک کی مبینہ بے حرمتی کے خلاف احتجاج کے دوران مظاہرین نے ایک چرچ کو آگ لگادی،حالات کشیدہ، پولیس کی ملزمان کو گرفتار کرنے کی یقین دہانی کے باوجود کشیدگی برقرار pic.twitter.com/8jfVhQlUX0
— Asif Mehmood (@AsefMehmood) August 16, 2023
Meanwhile, other users from different walks of life called on the Punjab government to take action against the mob, which reportedly chanted slogans in support of a far-right religio-political party as it resorted to violence against a neighbourhood housing over 500 Christian families.
We as a Pakistani can’t allow the madness happening in Jaranwala. Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes. We have a responsibility toward the minorities in our country, and we couldn't let the crisis worsen any further!…
— Senator Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) August 16, 2023
“We as Pakistani can’t allow the madness happening in Jaranwala. The Punjab government should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes. We have a responsibility toward the minorities in our country, and we couldn’t let the crisis worsen any further! [sic],” wrote Senator Sarfraz Bugti on X.
Condemning the mob violence, former senator Afrasiab Khattak said, “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”.
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. https://t.co/8kSoxB0q6O
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) August 16, 2023
“Where are the voices for this atrocity and this shameful disrespect of the Christian Community of Pakistan,” asked actor and activist Nadia Jamil. “These people are what give Pakistan a bad name! They should be locked up for good!”
