SC throws out Jaranwala inquiry report

Regrets that authorities did not try to stop mobs from setting churches on fire

ISLAMABAD:

The apex court on Tuesday dismissed a report presented by the Punjab government on the Jaranwala incident, noting that Punjab Police knew the people involved in vandalizing the places of worship of the Christian community but were afraid to name them.

The court also asked authorities to submit a new report on the incident in ten days, warning that in case of submission of an unsatisfactory report, the court will dismiss or suspend the relevant officials.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali on Tuesday took up a constitution petition filed by members of the Christian community for an inquiry into the August 2023 incidents.

On August 16, 2023, communal violence erupted at Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad after alleged desecration of the Holy Quran. During the riots, dozens of churches, places of worship and properties belonging to the Christian community were attacked and vandalized.

The petitioners noted that never in the history of Pakistan have so many churches been destroyed in a single incident in a single day. “At least 24 churches and several dozen smaller chapels were burnt, thus, the present petition is of great public importance and is maintainable,” it said.

During the proceedings, CJ Isa said people complain about Islamophobia in other countries but here they are themselves involved in mistreating the minorities. “Do we want to emulate the treatment meted out to minorities in India?” he asked.

The judge lamented that police did not try to stop the mobs on August 16 and acted like silent spectators. He said police know the real culprits of the Jaranwala incident, but are displaying weakness and cowardice.

“By failing to stop the attackers, the police undermined public confidence in themselves. Apparently, the Punjab police appeared intimidated by the attackers of the Jaranwala incident,” the judge observed.
Justice Isa said as a citizen, it is embarrassing for him that Pakistan reports the highest number of blasphemy cases in the world. Some people, he said, have turned it into a business.

“Those who have no knowledge about Islam are pretending to be authorities. Islam prohibits attacks on places of worship,” he said.

The court also issued notices to the federal government, all the provincial governments, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
It noted that both the government and the media must play their roles in combating extremism, violence, terrorism, sectarianism, and hatred.  The media should publish special messages promoting religious harmony under Section 20 of the PEMRA Ordinance, it said.

The court also gave the government two months to submit a report containing details of all the places of worship belonging to minority communities.

The court also directed authorities to publish complete details of all the Hindu temples and Sikh Gurdwaras along with their pictures on the website of the Evacuee Trust Property Board. The court later adjourned for an indefinite period.