A Christian colony in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad witnessed a violent incident as hundreds of individuals, armed with sticks and batons, launched an attack on Wednesday morning. This mob targeted the colony, ransacking two churches and adjacent buildings, driven by claims of blasphemy reportedly committed by a local resident. The assault instigated widespread fear and panic in the vicinity, leading to the closure of the local market while armed groups roamed the streets.
According to videos and messages shared on social media by locals, incitement occurred through mosque loudspeakers, following reports of alleged religious scripture desecration involving two Christian residents known as Rocky and Raja. Despite a significant police presence that assured the growing mob of apprehending and taking legal action against the suspects, the enraged crowd pressed on with the attack on the colony.
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The Christian community members seemed to have fled the area out of fear, with reports indicating that families from over 500 homes had evacuated their residences across three Christian settlements. The Salvation Army Church, one of the oldest churches in the region, was vandalized and set on fire, along with another local church and adjoining structures. The mob set furniture from these buildings ablaze in the streets. Some accounts even mentioned that several homes within the colony were also set on fire, though no casualties were reported.
Amidst the chaos, local mobs voiced support for Tehreek-e-Labbaik and Khatam-e-Nabuwat, and they demanded the execution of the alleged culprit. The mobs eventually congregated at Mehtab Masjid near Cinema Chowk. Criticisms were raised by locals, asserting that if the police had taken timely action, the situation might not have escalated to such an extent.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) arrived on the scene. The incident added to the growing concern over cases of alleged blasphemy and ensuing mob violence. The NCHR stressed the importance of strong government intervention to hold perpetrators accountable and uphold the rule of law in the country.
