Punjab chief secy moves LHC to dismiss petition for Jaranwala judicial commission

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday to dismiss a petition demanding a judicial commission to impartially investigate the tragic Jaranwala incident.

The Christian community had called for the establishment of a 'judicial inquiry committee' to impartially investigate the incident, to avoid feeling pressured by police officials demanding a compromise with the assailants and to stop receiving threats from Muslim extremists.

Justice Asim Hafeez had requested input from the Punjab chief secretary regarding the formation of a judicial commission.

As the proceedings began today, a reply on behalf of Zaman was submitted before the court.

The statement mentioned that the incident occurred on August 16 and the Punjab inspector general police reportedly registered 21 first information reports (FIRs) at various police stations in Jaranwala.

Read SC seeks JIT report on Jaranwala incident

The reply also stated that the government had formed 10 joint investigation teams (JITs) to investigate the cases. In light of the progress made as stated in the submitted response, the court was requested to dismiss the petition.

However, Justice Hafeez adjourned the proceedings until September 15.

Petition filed in LHC

The petition for an investigation committee was filed by Peter Charles, chairman of the Grace Bible Fellowship Church, Pakistan in the LHC through advocate Shahbaz Fazal Saroya.

In the plea, Charles complained against the state, local administration and law enforcement authorities for their failure to prevent a large mob from torching nearly two dozen churches and attacking their residences in Jaranwala on alleged blasphemy charges.

The petitioner argued that on August 16, an entirely baseless and frivolous case regarding the defiling of the Holy Quran had unfortunately occurred in the city.

“This incident resulted from an announcement made by a local mosque's Islamic fanatic, leading to a severe reaction by a mob of religious Muslim extremists. Consequently, they set fire to more than 25 Christian churches and over 50 houses, along with household items, using chemicals or petrol bombs. Additionally, they destroyed more than 200 houses of Christians after looting their belongings,” Charles had stated in his petition.

Read More Govt to pay Rs2m for each house torched in Jaranwala

“The mob also disrespected, defiled and denigrated the valuable holy cross and holy books of Gospel, Torah and Psalms with the intention of insulting the Christian religion. The mob was armed with clubs, rods, chemicals and petrol bombs, and they successfully invaded the properties of the Christian community,” he highlighted, urging the court to get them justice and protect minorities in Pakistan.

The petition prayed to the court to arrest all co-accused extremists identified in CCTV footage and other relevant evidence.

Furthermore, it sought directions for the concerned authorities to immediately provide financial and administrative resources to the victims of the Christian community so that they could return to their normal lives without facing serious consequences.

SC seeks JIT report

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court sought a report from the JIT formed to probe into the vandalism of 80 Christian homes and 19 churches in Jaranwala last month.

A three-judge bench led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan also issued notices to the religious affairs secretary, Auqaf chairman, attorney general for Pakistan and advocate general seeking their replies.