Churches vandalism cases
ISLAMABAD: Officials have reported that a series of churches in the Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad were subjected to vandalism on Wednesday due to allegations of blasphemy.
Imran Bhatti, the pastor of Jaranwala tehsil, said the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church located in the Isa Nagri area had been attacked.
Police have registered an FIR against the accused of blasphemy under sections 295B (defiling, etc., of the Holy Quran) and 295C (use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar stated that police officials are negotiating with the protesters to control the situation.
He explained, “There are narrow lanes in the area in which very small churches _ spanning only two to three marlas are located. There is only one main church in the area.”
The official highlighted that endeavors are underway to control the situation with the help of the peace committees.
“Furthermore, the assistant commissioner of the area, who is a member of the Christian community, has been evacuated following public backlash,” IG Police said.
Conversely, Christian leaders accused the police of remaining passive observers.
Meanwhile, Punjab Home Department spokesperson Amjad Kalyar said that a request for the deployment of Rangers in the region had been submitted to the department.
Earlier, President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall posted earlier on X network and claimed that the protesters have desecrated Bible.
He also said that demonstrators tortured the Christians in the area. He termed false the allegations of violating the Holy Quran and blasphemy.
More to follow………………
