Pakistani Government Takes Action After Mob Violence Against Christians

We recently informed you about a violent mob attack on a Christian community in Jaranwala, Pakistan. Over 20 churches and 80 Christian homes were attacked and destroyed.

Thousands of men were incited to attack the Christian community after two Christian brothers were falsely accused of desecrating the Quran (a crime punishable by mandatory life imprisonment under section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code).

After hearing that a mob was gathering and planning to attack, the Christian families fled and left everything behind.

The mob attacked, broke crucifixes, desecrated Bibles, stole property, and burned down churches and homes. Videos and pictures of the violence were widely circulated on social media.

This is not the first time an angry mob has attacked a Christian community over a false blasphemy allegation. Dozens of such incidents have happened before, including the Shanti Nagar attack in 1997, the Gojra attacks in 2009, and the Joseph Colony attack in 2013, to name a few.

However, this time the Pakistani government has taken strict action. Many officials visited the scene and issued statements condemning the violence and promising strict action.

The government immediately filed charges under the Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act against the attackers. It also ordered a “high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident.”

During a press conference, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, apologized to the Christian community on behalf of the country. He said, “We are ashamed . . . [and] we seek forgiveness.”

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the “government would restore all the churches and homes ransacked in the incident.”

Our affiliate office on the ground tells us that the government has started renovating the damaged churches and has given compensation to most families affected by the attack. At least 59 Christian families have received checks of approximately $7,000 per family. Local non-profit organizations and churches are sending aid to the affected families almost every day.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir also issued a statement, calling the Jaranwala incident “extremely tragic and totally intolerable.” He also stated that the culprits will be brought to justice. Over 100 people associated with the attack were reportedly arrested within days.

All of these reports are encouraging. As someone who was born in and grew up in Pakistan and is now working on cases of persecution, the government’s action after this attack gives me hope for the country and the people I love. Because many such incidents have gone unpunished in the past, people who take the law into their own hands think they will not face any consequences for engaging in such criminal acts.

The Jaranwala attack and other such incidents are a direct challenge to the state’s authority, and the security forces don’t need to stand by and watch criminals destroy the country. The Pakistani government’s decision to wield its authority and punish the miscreants is heartening as it will deter attacks against innocent Christian citizens in the future.

As General Munir stated: “All citizens of Pakistan are equal amongst each other irrespective of religion, gender, cast or creed.”