Christian community attacked in Pakistan over blasphemy accusations
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At least five members of a minority Christian community were attacked in eastern Pakistan by a Muslim crowd accusing them of blasphemy, according to police and community leaders.
The crowd, which accused the Christian group of desecrating the Quran, hurled stones and bricks at the police, stated Shariq Kamal, the police chief of Sargodha district. "A large contingent of police cordoned off the settlement," Kamal reported, adding that the crowd had been pushed back and five injured Christians had been taken to the hospital.
Protesters set at least one house and a small shoe factory on fire after neighbors alleged that a member of the minority community had desecrated the Quran. This information was confirmed by a police spokesman and Akmal Bhatti, a Christian leader. "They burned one house and lynched several Christians," Bhatti said.
Videos posted on social media showed protesters looting items from burning properties, with others seen throwing items onto a burning heap in the street. Bhatti confirmed that the videos were images from the scene, reported Reuters.
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed deep concern for the Christian community, stating that they were "at grave risk to their lives at the hands of the charged mobs."
Blasphemy remains a highly sensitive subject in Pakistan, where even an accusation can lead to a street lynching. Human rights groups have repeatedly highlighted that Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws are often misused to settle personal scores.
While blasphemy is technically punishable by death in Pakistan, no one has been executed by the state for it.
However, numerous accused individuals have been lynched by outraged mobs. This recent attack mirrors a similar incident last year, when a Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan, vandalizing several churches and setting numerous houses on fire after accusing two of its members of desecrating the Quran.
