<p>Hundreds of people, armed with sticks and batons, stormed a local Christian colony in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad,&nbsp;one of the wealthiest and most industrialised cities&nbsp;in Pakistan, on Wednesday (August 16)&nbsp;morning and attacked two&nbsp;churches and adjoining buildings over what they claimed was blasphemy allegedly committed by a local resident.</p>

<p>One church was set on fire while the mob tried to vandalise another.</p>

<p>The attack sparked fear and panic in&nbsp;the area. Shops in the local market were shut as armed mobs roamed the streets.</p>

<p>Videos and messages from locals suggested that&nbsp;loudspeakers of mosques were used to convey alleged desecration of religious scriptures by two local Christian residents, Rocky and Raja.</p>

<p>Though&nbsp;a heavy contingent of police reached the area and assured the swelling mob that the suspects would be apprehended and would face action as per the law, the&nbsp;crowds proceeded to attack the colony.</p>

<p>The government of Pakistan's&nbsp;Punjab province called in Pakistani Rangers to control the violent situation. There are reports that churches and members of the minority Christian community are being attacked at different locations across the city.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Pakistan: Mob attack on Church in Faisalabad following Blasphemy allegations on Christian family</strong></p>

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<p>Christian residents of the area appeared to have fled.</p>

<p>The Salvation Army Church, the church the mob tried to vandalise, is one of the oldest churches&nbsp;in the area.<br />
<br />
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, said a Dawn report.</p>

<p>Images on social media showed smoke rising from church buildings and people dragging out furniture from them and setting it fire on. A Christian cemetery was also vandalised, the report added.<br />
<br />
Police registered an first information report against the blasphemy accused 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.</p>

<p>Pakistan's caretaker PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has taken note on the incident and posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that those guilty would be punished.</p>

<p>"I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits &amp; bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis," Kakar posted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Faisalabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Faisalabad</a>. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits &amp; bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands… <a href="https://t.co/GHWUGA1fXS">https://t.co/GHWUGA1fXS</a></p>
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/anwaar_kakar/status/1691777275975352499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kakar was responding to the post on X by Bishop Azad Marshall, who is the President Bishop of Church of Pakistan. Marshall had expressed his anguish over the violence.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… <a href="https://t.co/xruE83NPXL">pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL</a></p>
— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) <a href="https://twitter.com/BishopAzadM/status/1691729068889354251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>While an FIR has been registered under blasphemy allegations of Article 295-C, the situation in the area remains tense.&nbsp;Police are trying to get the situation under their control.</p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

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Hundreds of people, armed with sticks and batons, stormed a local Christian colony in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad, one of the wealthiest and most industrialised cities in Pakistan, on Wednesday (August 16) morning and attacked two churches and adjoining buildings over what they claimed was blasphemy allegedly committed by a local resident.

Hundreds of people, armed with sticks and batons, stormed a local Christian colony in the Jaranwala area of Faisalabad, one of the wealthiest and most industrialised cities in Pakistan, on Wednesday (August 16) morning and attacked two churches and adjoining buildings over what they claimed was blasphemy allegedly committed by a local resident. One church was set on fire while the mob tried to vandalise another. The attack sparked fear and panic in the area. Shops in the local market were shut as armed mobs roamed the streets. Videos and messages from locals suggested that loudspeakers of mosques were used to convey alleged desecration of religious scriptures by two local Christian residents, Rocky and Raja. Though a heavy contingent of police reached the area and assured the swelling mob that the suspects would be apprehended and would face action as per the law, the crowds proceeded to attack the colony. The government of Pakistan's Punjab province called in Pakistani Rangers to control the violent situation. There are reports that churches and members of the minority Christian community are being attacked at different locations across the city. Watch | Pakistan: Mob attack on Church in Faisalabad following Blasphemy allegations on Christian family × Christian residents of the area appeared to have fled. The Salvation Army Church, the church the mob tried to vandalise, is one of the oldest churches in the area. 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, said a Dawn report. Images on social media showed smoke rising from church buildings and people dragging out furniture from them and setting it fire on. A Christian cemetery was also vandalised, the report added. Police registered an first information report against the blasphemy accused 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. Pakistan's caretaker PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has taken note on the incident and posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that those guilty would be punished. "I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits & bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands with our citizenry on equal basis," Kakar posted. I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits & bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands… https://t.co/GHWUGA1fXS — Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 16, 2023 × Kakar was responding to the post on X by Bishop Azad Marshall, who is the President Bishop of Church of Pakistan. Marshall had expressed his anguish over the violence. Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL — Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023 × While an FIR has been registered under blasphemy allegations of Article 295-C, the situation in the area remains tense. Police are trying to get the situation under their control. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Churches attacked in Pakistan's Faisalabad over blasphemy allegations

<p>A Pakistani journalist has been arrested for reportedly attributing "disrespectful" remarks against Islam to former prime minister Imran Khan, as per local media reports.&nbsp; According to an&nbsp;article in Dawn newspaper, Rawalpindi police on Saturday filed a complaint at the RA Bazar police station against journalist Waqar Satti.</p>

<p>A cable operator named Chaudhry Nasir Qayyum filed a complaint under Sections 295-A and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and the case was subsequently registered.</p>

<p>The complainant informed the police that he came across a tweet on August 24 while at his office in which a man named Waqar Satti described why he "hates" Imran and the reasons why he is against the former prime minister, according to the first information report (FIR) reported by Dawn.</p>

<p>FIR mentioned statements that, according to the complainant, "disrespected" Islam. "Imran Khan has not mentioned any such words mentioned in Waqar Satti's tweet -- in any of his speeches," the FIR quoted the complainant as saying. Satti's acts, he continued, had hurt his religious sentiments "as well as those of thousands of other Muslims."</p>

<p>A veteran journalist was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, further illustrating how the state of press freedom in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-appeal-international-community-to-help-flood-hit-pakistan-510914">Pakistan</a> is deteriorating.</p>

<p>According to Dawn, the event happened in the Toba Tek Singh district of Pakistan's Punjab when the murdered journalist Muhammad Younis was traveling on his motorcycle toward his farms at Mouza Manganwala when two guys hiding in a field opened fire.</p>

<p>The journalist was shot, killed there and then, and the perpetrators ran from the scene.</p>

<p>Following the terrible murder, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Faisal Shahkar requested a report from Faisalabad Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-is-still-one-of-the-best-babar-azam-backs-under-fire-india-superstar-ahead-of-asia-cup-meeting-510826"><strong>&nbsp;</strong>Virat Kohli is still one of the best: Babar Azam backs under-fire India superstar ahead of Asia Cup meeting</a></p>

<p>Furthermore, according to Dawn, Jhang District Police Officer (DPO) Rashid Hidayat ordered the immediate arrest of the journalist's killers and assembled a team comprising of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) for Shorkot and other knowledgeable officers to investigate the crime.</p>

<p>The restriction of media freedom in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-maryam-nawaz-used-contemptuous-language-against-judges-510956">Pakistan</a> has brought to light the fact that this right has been seriously questioned in the South Asian nation.</p>

<p>In Pakistan, journalists continue to struggle with constant violence and kidnappings despite taking on dangerous work for minimal pay.</p>

<p>Media professionals, including desk personnel and field reporters, are increasingly dealing with either financial difficulties or harassment. They are being restrained, intimidated, and threatened. Everyone faces threats, whether they work as a beat reporter or a prime-time TV anchor.</p>

<p>Even owners of media organizations might experience such abuse.</p>

<p>Notably, the International Federation of Journalists has placed Pakistan as the fifth most hazardous country in which to pursue journalism.</p>

<p>In the country, between 1990 and 2020, 138 media workers perished while performing their jobs, according to sources in the media. Pakistan continues to be one of the top 10 nations where those who attack journalists and the media do not face consequences.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Also WATCH |&nbsp;Floods and incessant rainfall wreak havoc in Pakistan; over 1000 dead, 50 million displaced</strong></p>

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A Pakistani journalist has been arrested for reportedly attributing "disrespectful" remarks against Islam to former prime minister Imran Khan, as per local media reports.

A Pakistani journalist has been arrested for reportedly attributing "disrespectful" remarks against Islam to former prime minister Imran Khan, as per local media reports. According to an article in Dawn newspaper, Rawalpindi police on Saturday filed a complaint at the RA Bazar police station against journalist Waqar Satti. A cable operator named Chaudhry Nasir Qayyum filed a complaint under Sections 295-A and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and the case was subsequently registered. The complainant informed the police that he came across a tweet on August 24 while at his office in which a man named Waqar Satti described why he "hates" Imran and the reasons why he is against the former prime minister, according to the first information report (FIR) reported by Dawn. FIR mentioned statements that, according to the complainant, "disrespected" Islam. "Imran Khan has not mentioned any such words mentioned in Waqar Satti's tweet -- in any of his speeches," the FIR quoted the complainant as saying. Satti's acts, he continued, had hurt his religious sentiments "as well as those of thousands of other Muslims." A veteran journalist was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, further illustrating how the state of press freedom in Pakistan is deteriorating. According to Dawn, the event happened in the Toba Tek Singh district of Pakistan's Punjab when the murdered journalist Muhammad Younis was traveling on his motorcycle toward his farms at Mouza Manganwala when two guys hiding in a field opened fire. The journalist was shot, killed there and then, and the perpetrators ran from the scene. Following the terrible murder, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Faisal Shahkar requested a report from Faisalabad Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa. Also read | Virat Kohli is still one of the best: Babar Azam backs under-fire India superstar ahead of Asia Cup meeting Furthermore, according to Dawn, Jhang District Police Officer (DPO) Rashid Hidayat ordered the immediate arrest of the journalist's killers and assembled a team comprising of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) for Shorkot and other knowledgeable officers to investigate the crime. The restriction of media freedom in Pakistan has brought to light the fact that this right has been seriously questioned in the South Asian nation. In Pakistan, journalists continue to struggle with constant violence and kidnappings despite taking on dangerous work for minimal pay. Media professionals, including desk personnel and field reporters, are increasingly dealing with either financial difficulties or harassment. They are being restrained, intimidated, and threatened. Everyone faces threats, whether they work as a beat reporter or a prime-time TV anchor. Even owners of media organizations might experience such abuse. Notably, the International Federation of Journalists has placed Pakistan as the fifth most hazardous country in which to pursue journalism. In the country, between 1990 and 2020, 138 media workers perished while performing their jobs, according to sources in the media. Pakistan continues to be one of the top 10 nations where those who attack journalists and the media do not face consequences. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | Floods and incessant rainfall wreak havoc in Pakistan; over 1000 dead, 50 million displaced

Pak journalist booked for misquoting Imran Khan over 'blasphemous' remarks

<p class="MsoNormal">After the Pakistan's Prime Minister ordered probe into Sri Lankan man’s death, nearly 800 people have been booked under the&nbsp;Anti-Terrorism Act on Saturday.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Farhan Idrees has been detained as the key suspect for killing the Sri Lankan man&nbsp;Priyantha Kumara.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A few days ago, a Sri Lankan factory manager was beaten to death and was set ablaze by a local mob in Pakistan who accused him of blasphemy. Imran Khan ordered immediate probe in this matter as he labelled it a "day of shame for Pakistan".</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>"The horrific vigilante attack on a factory in Sialkot &amp; the burning alive of a Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations &amp; let there be no mistake, all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress," <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-orders-probe-into-sri-lankan-man-burnt-over-blasphemy-charges-433921">Khan had tweeted</a></strong>.</o:p></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Spoke to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today in UAE to convey our nation's anger &amp; shame to people of Sri Lanka at vigilante killing of Priyantha Diyawadana in Sialkot. I informed him 100+ ppl arrested &amp; assured him they would be prosecuted with full severity of the law</p>
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1467113256863027201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per the report submitted to the Prime Minister, the local police have detained nearly 120 people for the incident that took place in Sialkot, Pakistan. Officials have reported that the manager of the factory, who was a Sri Lankan, was killed as locals believed that he had committed blasphemy.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">They have been moved to unnamed locations to make sure the investigations can be carried out independently and safely.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistani-mob-tortures-sri-lankan-man-to-death-burnt-for-blasphemy-433978"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistani-mob-tortures-sri-lankan-man-to-death-burnt-for-blasphemy-433978/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Rumour spread in the factory that the manager had torn down a religious poster and thrown it in the dustbin," Zulfiqar Ali, a police official in the area told news agency AFP.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">It is being believed that the workers of the factory had complained about the manager being too strict. So, some of the employees played the religious card to take their revenge, which ultimately led to the man’s death.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Police experts are investigating this case from various angles, including that some factory workers played a religious card to take revenge on the manager," Ashrafi said.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Local officials are still continuing raids to make sure all guilty in this matter are caught and punished.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Video clips on social media platforms showed the Sri Lankan man being beaten and set ablaze, while the mob chanted slogans against blasphemy. Some people also, reportedly, took selfies inn front of the burning corpse of the Sri Lankan man.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Sri Lankan parliament also condemned the incident as the education minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament,&nbsp;"We are glad that the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had very strongly condemned this brutal act."</o:p></p>


After the Pakistan's Prime Minister ordered probe into Sri Lankan man’s death, nearly 800 people have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act on Saturday. Farhan Idrees has been detained as the key suspect for killing the Sri Lankan man Priyantha Kumara.

After the Pakistan's Prime Minister ordered probe into Sri Lankan man’s death, nearly 800 people have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act on Saturday. Farhan Idrees has been detained as the key suspect for killing the Sri Lankan man Priyantha Kumara. A few days ago, a Sri Lankan factory manager was beaten to death and was set ablaze by a local mob in Pakistan who accused him of blasphemy. Imran Khan ordered immediate probe in this matter as he labelled it a "day of shame for Pakistan". "The horrific vigilante attack on a factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of a Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake, all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress," Khan had tweeted. Spoke to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today in UAE to convey our nation's anger & shame to people of Sri Lanka at vigilante killing of Priyantha Diyawadana in Sialkot. I informed him 100+ ppl arrested & assured him they would be prosecuted with full severity of the law — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 4, 2021 × As per the report submitted to the Prime Minister, the local police have detained nearly 120 people for the incident that took place in Sialkot, Pakistan. Officials have reported that the manager of the factory, who was a Sri Lankan, was killed as locals believed that he had committed blasphemy. They have been moved to unnamed locations to make sure the investigations can be carried out independently and safely. WATCH | "Rumour spread in the factory that the manager had torn down a religious poster and thrown it in the dustbin," Zulfiqar Ali, a police official in the area told news agency AFP. It is being believed that the workers of the factory had complained about the manager being too strict. So, some of the employees played the religious card to take their revenge, which ultimately led to the man’s death. "Police experts are investigating this case from various angles, including that some factory workers played a religious card to take revenge on the manager," Ashrafi said. Local officials are still continuing raids to make sure all guilty in this matter are caught and punished. Video clips on social media platforms showed the Sri Lankan man being beaten and set ablaze, while the mob chanted slogans against blasphemy. Some people also, reportedly, took selfies inn front of the burning corpse of the Sri Lankan man. Sri Lankan parliament also condemned the incident as the education minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament, "We are glad that the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had very strongly condemned this brutal act."

Nearly 800 people arrested for killing Sri Lankan man in Pakistan: Reports

February 14 in History: From Pulwama terror attacks to creation of YouTube

<p>Chief Justice of Pakistan on Wednesday said that Asia Bibi should not be&nbsp;given asylum in the UK as it is "duty of the state to protect the life and property of its citizens.", local media reported.</p>

<p>Justice Nisar who is in London for a nine-day trip to raise funds for the Diamer-Bhasha dam, made the comments while he was interacting with media after the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was asked whether Asia Bibi, a Pakistan Christian acuitted of capital blasphemy charges, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asia-bibi-unable-to-leave-pakistan-without-asylum-offer-lawyer-178426">should be given asylum in London</a> to which he responded saying, "As far as the protection is concerned, I don’t think she should be given asylum … because it’s the duty of the state to protect the life and property of its citizens and if she is sent abroad it means that the state of Pakistan has failed," Geo tv quoted him as saying.</p>

<p>"She should be given maximum protection in Pakistan," Justice Nisar added.</p>

<p>The CJP further said that the government of Pakistan has to act strong or there will be no end of such cases which will show the failure of the state.</p>

<p>He further said that safeguarding Asia Bibi is the responsibility of the government.</p>

<p>Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. The Supreme Court acquitted her last month.</p>

<p>She and her family are staying at a safe house in Pakistan, despite offers of asylum from countries including Canada.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Chief Justice of Pakistan on Wednesday said that Asia Bibi should not be given asylum in the UK as it is "duty of the state to protect the life and property of its citizens.

Chief Justice of Pakistan on Wednesday said that Asia Bibi should not be given asylum in the UK as it is "duty of the state to protect the life and property of its citizens.", local media reported. Justice Nisar who is in London for a nine-day trip to raise funds for the Diamer-Bhasha dam, made the comments while he was interacting with media after the event. He was asked whether Asia Bibi, a Pakistan Christian acuitted of capital blasphemy charges, should be given asylum in London to which he responded saying, "As far as the protection is concerned, I don’t think she should be given asylum … because it’s the duty of the state to protect the life and property of its citizens and if she is sent abroad it means that the state of Pakistan has failed," Geo tv quoted him as saying. "She should be given maximum protection in Pakistan," Justice Nisar added. The CJP further said that the government of Pakistan has to act strong or there will be no end of such cases which will show the failure of the state. He further said that safeguarding Asia Bibi is the responsibility of the government. Bibi, 53, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 over allegations she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. The Supreme Court acquitted her last month. She and her family are staying at a safe house in Pakistan, despite offers of asylum from countries including Canada.

Asia Bibi should be given maximum protection in Pakistan: Chief Justice of Pakistan on asylum row

Protests turn violent in Pakistan after Asia Bibi acquitted of blasphemy

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