Senior Puisne Judge of Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez visits Jaranwala on August 19, 2023.

Faisalabad was marred by violent turmoil as a mob targeted Christian houses and churches, spurred by accusations of blasphemy. Chief Justice Designate Qazi Faez Isa took a stand against this extremism by visiting Jaranwala, where the disturbing events unfolded. Accompanied by his wife, he expressed solidarity with the Christian community on Saturday.

The upheaval began on August 16, when incendiary sermons in local mosques incited a crowd to rampage through Jaranwala, setting homes ablaze and vandalizing churches. To restore order, paramilitary troops were deployed on government orders.

Justice Isa's visit carried the message of unity and equality. Surveying the damaged homes and churches, he expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed clean-up efforts and urged immediate action. He assured the victims of his full support and emphasized that all citizens, regardless of faith, enjoy equal rights.

Addressing the Christian community, Justice Isa highlighted the shared responsibility to hold wrongdoers accountable. He emphasized that just as Muslims have the right to build mosques, Christians have the same right to build churches.

During the visit, Justice Isa and his wife provided financial aid and distributed food packages to the victims, underlining the importance of communal support in times of crisis.

Legal Action and Government Response

The incident prompted swift legal action. The local police registered cases against 34 named suspects and identified 600 more under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. Notably, 29 of the named suspects have already been arrested in connection with the attack.

Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Jaranwala President Mufti Mohammad Younis Rizvi and Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) leader Syed Asifullah Shah were among those implicated in the case.

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the arrest of individuals accused of desecrating the Holy Quran by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the incident, asserting the country's commitment to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities. She deemed the acts illegal and unconstitutional, and pledged that the law enforcement agencies were under orders from the prime minister to apprehend and bring the culprits to justice.

The violent attack sparked widespread outrage on social media, with condemnation pouring in from political and religious leaders across Pakistan. The incident serves as a reminder that there's no place for such extremist actions in a society that upholds tolerance and equality.

Socail Media Point Youtube Channel

Blog Topics