Christian community moves LHC against police pressure to reach compromise

Petition informs court of 'continuous threats' by some locals to lives of minority community

LAHORE:

The Christian community moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday against being pressurised by police officials to reach a compromise in the Jaranwala rampage case, requesting for a judicial inquiry committee to be formed to fairly investigate the incident.

In a petition filed through advocate Shahbaz Fazal Saroya, petitioner Peter Charles, chairman of Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan, also informed the court of the continuous threats to the community by some locals.

The petitioner complained against the state, local administration and law enforcement authorities, which according to the community have terribly failed at keeping them safe.

He lamented that these institutions could not refrain the flared mob from torching nearly two dozen churches and attacking residents' homes over blasphemy charges.

Read Cleric among dozens being probed over Jaranwala violence

Charles also called for upholding due punishment for all the accused identified in the CCTV footage as well as through other relevant evidence.

The petition further implored the court to pass directions to state authorities to immediately provide financial and administrative resources to victims of the Jaranwala incident to assist them in returning to routine life following the mob violence.

The petitioner contended that on August 16, an “unreal, fake and frivolous case” regarding the defiling of the Holy Quran, unfortunately, happened in the city of Jaranwala district in Faisalabad. The news reached them through an announcement by a “fanatic” at a local mosque.

He continued that the news resulted in a severe reaction, where a charged mob set fire to over 25 churches and more than 50 homes using chemicals and petrol bombs. The enraged crowd destroyed and looted 200 homes belonging to the Christian community.

“The mob also disrespected, defiled and derogated the valuable holy cross and holy books of Gospel, Torah and Psalms with the intention to disrespect our religion,” the petition stated. “The flared mob equipped with clubs, rods, chemicals and petrol bombs succeeded in invading the properties of the Christian Community,” it further read.

Read more ‘CTD arrests both main accused in Jaranwala rampage’

Last week, a day after several churches were attacked and Christian homes ransacked by an enraged mob in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad – following the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran – the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested “both main suspects” allegedly involved in the sacrilegious act and shifted them to an undisclosed location.

Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the development on social media.

“Major breakthrough in the Jaranwala Incident – both main accused now in CTD Custody. Appreciation for Chief Secretary Punjab and IG Punjab for their relentless efforts,” Naqvi said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Prime Minister's unwavering concern guided us, driving the swift arrest process. Grateful for the trust he placed in our team, fueling record-time arrests,” he added. The accused were identified as Raja Saleem Masih and Rocky Masih.