Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the caretaker prime minister, urged law enforcement officials on Wednesday to pursue those responsible for the vandalism of churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, over blasphemy charges.
“I am heartbroken by the images coming out of Jaranwala, Faisalabad.” “Those who violate the law and target minorities will face severe consequences,” said Kakar in a post on X, the microblogging platform formerly known as Twitter.
The interim prime minister further stated that all law enforcement agencies have been requested to “apprehend perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
“Be assured that the government of Pakistan stands on an equal footing with our citizens,” he continued.
Shehbaz Sharif, a former prime minister, also condemned the incident, stating, “What is happening in Jaranwala is sad and disturbing.”
“Violence has no place in any religion.” All religious sites, books, and figures are sacrosanct and deserve our undivided attention. “I urge the government to take action against the perpetrators,” the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continued.
The former prime minister also urged “religious scholars from all schools of thought to come forward and condemn the heinous actions.”
“Such madness cannot be tolerated. “All religious minorities belong in Pakistan,” Shehbaz on X remarked.
Meanwhile, the event has been criticised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
“I am appalled to learn of the attack on churches in Jaranwala, Faisalabad; violating the sanctity of places of worship is completely unacceptable.” “The administration must ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches,” according to Bilawal on X.
Earlier today, a mob vandalised multiple churches and set fire to dozens of dwellings after accusing members of the Christian community of blasphemy.
According to police spokesman Naveed Ahmad, the incident occurred in Jaranwala town in Faisalabad’s industrial district. He claimed that a crowd stormed the village after two Christians were accused of blasphemy.
A nearby highway was blocked by dozens of protesters.
According to a government order seen by Reuters, the local administration has called in paramilitary personnel to deal with the aggressive throng and put the situation under control.
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.
Several social media posts showed some churches on fire as well as houses and belongings.
