Islamabad, Pakistan – Police authorities in central Pakistan reported a violent attack on a minority Christian settlement over allegations of blasphemy, resulting in injuries to several individuals. The incident took place in Sargodha, located in the Punjab province, which is the most populous region in the country.
Eyewitnesses and leaders advocating for minority rights revealed that protesters vandalized and set fire to the house and a small shoemaking factory of a 70-year-old Christian man accused of disrespecting the Quran. The man was severely beaten in the attack, as confirmed by his relatives.
Law enforcement officials responded promptly to the crisis, rescuing at least 10 Christians and transferring them to safety while dispersing the enraged crowd. Several of the rescued individuals sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Additionally, clashes with protesters resulted in injuries to 10 security personnel.
In an effort to calm the religious tensions, senior provincial police officers disclosed that they had detained up to 20 suspects connected to the mob attack, with plans for further arrests in an ongoing crackdown. They also mentioned an ongoing investigation into the blasphemy claims.
Violent assaults against religious minorities in predominantly Muslim Pakistan are unfortunately not uncommon. In a similar incident in 2023, thousands of people in the Jaranwala district of Punjab attacked and destroyed multiple churches and Christian properties after accusing two Christian brothers of blasphemy.
Critics have long advocated for reforms to the country’s blasphemy laws, arguing that they are often misused to settle personal disputes. The U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights practices in Pakistan highlighted that while the majority of those imprisoned for blasphemy were Muslim, religious minorities were disproportionately impacted.
The report also pointed out that lower courts in Pakistan frequently failed to uphold basic evidentiary standards in blasphemy cases, a situation attributed to concerns of reprisal from religious groups. This has resulted in many convicted individuals spending years behind bars before higher courts overturned their convictions or ordered their release.