Mobs run amok to burn down churches in Pakistan

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By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Augist 16: In another confirmation of Pakistan being torn apart by unchecked Jihadi mullahs, mobs ran amok on Wednesday to burn down at least eight churches in Faisalabad, while attacking several habitations of the Christians. Several commentators charged that the police allowed the mobs to torch the churches and desecrate the Bible by arriving late despite the mullahs giving calls for attacks from mosques on loudspeakers.

Pakistan regularly makes news for the persecution of the minority communities with the state patronizing the mullahs who claim desecration at their whims and fancies to target the Hindus and Christians, noted several commentators on X from Pakistan, who reacted with indignation against the incidents of arson.

“A charged mob of around 7,000 people stormed a Christian colony in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday morning, where they ransacked several buildings and set multiple churches on fire over blasphemy allegations. The situation became tense in Jaranwala on Wednesday morning when crowds were gathered and announcements were made from mosques that some pages of religious scripture had been desecrated,” wrote the Pakistani daily The Friday Times. It added that a large mob gathered near the Christian colony at Cinema Chowk, accusing two local Christians of desecrating 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 tortured and harrased 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,” wrote Bishop Azad Marshall, President Bishop Church of Pakistan, on X.

His post invited several comments of sympathy. “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,” reacted Anwaar uL Haq Kakar, caretaker PM of Pakistan.

But commentators underlined that the leniency to act against toxic Jihadi elements made the mobs to go on rampage against the churches. “This is terrible and against principles of humanity. Wherever a holy place or holy book is burnt it indicates crass insensitivity. Wonder how anyone in Pakistan will be able to quote MA Jinnah’s promise that minorities are free to go their temples and churches,” noted a leading Pakistan commentator on military affairs Ayesha Siddiqa.

National Commission for Human Rights also noted that “the rising number of cases of alleged blasphemy and mob violence are extremely concerning”. “This is evidence enough that the state has zero control over religious extremism. The police is still struggling to deal with charged mob in Faisalabad. Enforce religious tolerance, or we are doomed,” stated Pakistan-based journalist Absa Komal on X.