Churches vandalized in Pakistan over blasphemy allegations

NEW DELHI: A number of churches were vandalised in the Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad in Pakistan on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations, officials said, local media reported.

A Christian leader, Akmal Bhatti, said the crowd had torched at least five churches and looted valuables from houses that had been abandoned by their owners after clerics made announcements in mosques inciting the mob, Dawn reported. Images on social media showed smoke rising from the church buildings and people setting fire to furniture that had been dragged from them. Jaranwala pastor Imran Bhatti told Dawn that the ransacked churches included the Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area.

He added that the house of a Christian cleaner, who was accused of blasphemy, was also demolished.

Speaking to Dawn, Punjab province police chief Usman Anwar said the police were negotiating with the protesters and the area had been cordoned off.

“There are narrow lanes (in the area) in which small two to three marla churches are located and there is one main church ... they have vandalised portions of the churches,” he said. The official stated that efforts were under way to contain the situation by engaging with peace committees and police across the province had been activated. “The assistant commissioner of the area, a member of the Christian community, has also been evacuated after people turned against him,” Anwar added. (IANS)

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