CM Naqvi says Friday sermons to focus on minority rights

Punjab CM's statement comes after Jaranwala rampage; Naqvi emphasises interfaith harmony among basic Islamic teachings

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Friday sermons across the province today will focus on minority rights as mentioned in the Holy Quran.

The minister's statement comes two days after the Christian community in Faisalabad's Jaranwala was attacked over blasphemy allegations.

Multiple churches in a Christian neighbourhood of Jaranwala tehsil were attacked on Wednesday by an enraged mob over an act of alleged desecration of the Holy Quran.

Read Targeted Christians found shelter with Muslims during Jaranwala rampage

The attack had continued for more than 10 hours without any intervention by police who were at the scene, residents and community leaders had said. Police had denied the accusation, saying security forces had prevented an even worse situation.

Today Friday's sermons across Punjab will focus on the Rights of Minorities, teachings from the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Amid challenging times, let's emphasize that such incidents should not be colored by religion. Interfaith harmony is among the basic teachings…

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 18, 2023

Taking to the social media platform X, Naqvi said, "Today Friday's sermons across Punjab will focus on the Rights of Minorities, teaching from the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)."

"Amid challenging times, let's emphasise that such incidents should not be coloured by religion. Interfaith, [and] harmony is among the basic teachings of Islam," he added.

A day earlier, the interim CM said that the provincial government would "restore" all the churches and the homes of the Christian community which were attacked and torched during the mob violence.

FIR lodged

After outrage and calls for justice from all sections of society, the police reportedly lodged two FIRs booking hundreds of unidentified men and a handful of named suspects, who allegedly led the mob.

The district administration also imposed Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) banning all kinds of assembly, except for government events, in the area for seven days.

Pakistan affirms minority rights

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday said Pakistan was fully determined to protect and promote the constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the individuals belonging to religious minorities.

Read More ICT Police forms Minority Protection Unit

In a statement, she said as a country of law and constitution, Pakistan could not accept the intolerant and violent acts in yesterday's incident in Faisalabad.

The statement came as the United States on Wednesday had urged Pakistan to investigate mob attacks against churches and Christian homes that broke out in Punjab.