Pakistan‘s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 23 (ANI): In the Jaranwala blasphemy incident, the damages suffered due to the burning of churches and the houses of minorities has been estimated to be  Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 67 million, reported Dawn.  According to estimates compiled by Faisalabad’s district administration, at least 22 churches were ransacked by mobs which suffered damages to the tune of PKR 29.1 million whereas 91 houses bore the brunt of violence and suffered losses to the tune of PKR 38.5 million. 

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul Haq Kakar visited Jaranwala on Monday to express solidarity with the Christian community, days after the mobs attacked the house and churches over allegations of blasphemy. 

However, Kakar also distributed compensation cheques to the victims’ families whose houses were burnt down by the violent mobs, Dawn reported. Moreover, the list of items destroyed by the mob included fans, air-conditioners, water filter plants, generators, carpets, furniture, and other electrical appliances. The interim PM said that it was the duty of the state to protect the lives and properties of religious minorities.  “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of every citizen,” PM Kakar said.

Moreover, the premier distributed cheques for PKR 2 million each among the members of the Christian community whose houses were destroyed during the violence, according to Dawn. During a ceremony, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that police are finding the suspects with the help of CCTV footage and geo-fencing. He also said that the culprits would be punished under the law. 
He added that financial assistance would be provided to each victim.

A total of 19 churches were fully gutted and 89 Christian houses were burnt down to ashes in recent violence targeting the Christian community in Jaranwala in Faisalabad, according to a fact-finding report of the Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP). The HRFP report stated that on August 16 Jaranwala mob attacked churches and Christians, a total of 19 churches were burnt fully while two churches and some prayer rooms/community halls were also affected.

The report stated that over 10,000 Christians had hid in sugar cane and other fields, during the first nights of attack. The HRFP added that its report was based on direct information and evidence through the fact-finding mission trip to the sites of the incident, interviews of victims, families, local residents, church leaders, neighbourhoods, journalists, police officials, local authorities, political workers and different stakeholders, Dawn reported. (ANI)

Pakistan’s interim PM reacts to vandalisation of churches, says ‘stern action would be taken’

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 16 (ANI): Reacting to the vandalisation of several churches in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations, Pakistan‘s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday said that he is “gutted” by the visuals. He has vowed to take action against those who violate the law and target minorities.  Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar stated, “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 with our citizenry on equal basis.”

On Wednesday, multiple churches were vandalised in the Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad. A Christian leader, Akmal Bhatti, said the crowd had torched at least five churches, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Images on social media platforms showed smoke billowing out from the church buildings and people setting fire to furniture that had been dragged from them. 

Speaking to Dawn, Imran Bhatti, the pastor of the Jaranwala tehsil said that the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church located in Isa Nagri region were ransacked. Bhatti further said that the house of a Christian cleaner, who was accused of blasphemy, has also been demolished. Punjab police chief Usman Anwar said that the police were holding negotiations with the protesters and the area had been cordoned off. Speaking to Dawn, the provincial police chief said, “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.”

The official further said that efforts were being made to control the situation by situation by engaging with peace committees. The official said that the police in the province had been activated. Usman Anwar said, “The assistant commissioner of the area, a member of the Christian community, has also been evacuated after people turned against him,” Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, Christian leaders said that the police remained silent spectators, the report said. President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall said Christians were being tortured and harassed.
Bishop Azad Marshall, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “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 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.” (ANI)