Collective violence in Pakistan following allegations of desecration of the Koran and burning of Christian homes – Firstpost

A mob led by radical Islamists launched an attack on Christians in Pakistan's Punjab province on Saturday over allegations of desecration of the Quran, which left at least two members of the minority community injured, one seriously, said the police.

The incident took place in the morning in Mujahid Colony Sargodha district of Punjab, around 200 km from Lahore.

Police say they arrived at the scene in time to control the situation.

Several video clips of the collective attack against the properties of the Christian community are circulating on social networks.

The mob led by radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) militants attacked the Christian community, burning and ransacking their property.

According to Asad Ejaz Malhi, senior officer of the Punjab Police, a large contingent of police reached the Mujahid Colony and dispersed the crowd which had surrounded some houses (of Christians) following allegations of desecration of the Quran.

He said an injured person was taken to hospital and police were deployed there to maintain law and order.

Another police officer told PTI that on Saturday morning, some youths from the Mujahid colony alleged that one Nazir Gill Masih had desecrated the Quran.

“Following their allegations, a mob led by TLP activists marched towards Nazir’s residence and a factory. They burned down his shoe factory and his house. They also ransacked some Christian-owned stores. Before the police could reach the spot, the mob lynched and beat Nazir,” he said.

However, police managed to rescue Nazir and shifted him to hospital where his condition was found to be critical, the officer said. He added that another Christian was also injured.

Ifran Gill, a relative of Nazir, told PTI that his uncle had returned from Dubai after four years. He said some people in the locality had falsely accused him of desecrating the Quran. He said Christian families saved their lives by locking themselves in their homes when the crowds marched towards them. He said the environment was tense in the region and Christians were terrified.

“Another Jaranwala style attack on Christians in Sargodha with a mob attacking the local community, burning and ransacking properties. The failure of the state to take serious and sincere action against the perpetrators of the Jaranwala incident has only emboldened those who exploit religious sentiments for their criminal acts,” the lawyer and politician said of human rights Jibran Nasir on X.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concern over the unfolding situation in Sargodha, where the Christian community of Gillwala village is reportedly facing grave risks to their lives at the hands of indicted mobs.

“There are unconfirmed reports of a man being lynched,” HRCP said on X and called on the Punjab Police to immediately restore calm and bring the perpetrators to justice, while ensuring so that the Christian community no longer suffers harm.

Sara Taseer, daughter of assassinated Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, said: “The poor Pak Christian community asks me for help when lynchings break out. Before X was banned, I could alert certain groups to help them in the event of an attack and try to avoid the worst. But today, they are more cornered than ever.

Last year, at least 24 churches and more than 80 houses belonging to Christians in Jaranwala tehsil in Faisalabad district, about 130 km from the provincial capital, were torched by a mob following reports that two Christians allegedly desecrated the Koran.