Islamabad, August 21: A total of 19 churches were fully gutted and 89 Christian houses burnt down in recent violence targeting the Christian community in Jaranwala in Faisalabad, according to a fact-finding report of the Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP). The HRFP report stated that in the August 16 Jaranwala mob attack on churches and Christians, a total of 19 churches were burnt fully while two churches and some prayer rooms/community halls were also affected.

It further said over 400 houses were affected in total with 89 Christian houses including those of pastors and priests being completely gutted while 15 houses were partially destroyed. The report stated that over 10,000 Christians had hid in sugar cane and other fields, during the first nights of attack. The HRFP said its report was based on direct information and evidence through the fact-finding mission trip to the sites of the incident, interviews of victims, families, local residents, church leaders, neighbourhoods, journalists, police officials, local authorities, political workers and different stakeholders. Pakistan: Church Vandalised, Ransacked and Set Ablaze by Mob Over Blasphemy Allegations In Faisalabad, Scary Videos Surface.

The HRFP team met in person with more than 150 victims and families and church leaders who shared their stories about victimizations and religious persecutions, losses and immediate needs to help them urgently and for longer time, the report stated. The HRFP fact-finding team observed that household items were looted, and the rest were burnt. It said that since the people fled on time, they managed to escape. The human rights team said that most of those who fled are in facing traumatic conditions with several people sustaining injuries and a few women reporting abuses. Most of them were afraid that they did not want to return to their homes ever, the report said. Church Vandalised in Pakistan: Over 100 Held After Several Churches Attacked in Faisalabad Over Blasphemy Allegation.

FIR was registered on the August 16, morning, under sections 295B and 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code against two Christian men. FIR stated that the two Christians living in Jaranwala has blasphemed against Holy Quran and Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH) by using insulting words against Islam and Prophet Muhammad. FIR has registered by police ASI on the complaint of Muhammad Afzal, Noor Hussain and Muhammad Toheed, supported by religious groups and the people who have been biased with Shaukat Masih as well. Both the accused are on judicial remand and have appeared at court hearings through video link due to high-security reasons, HRFP stated.

HRFP said that it had learnt from survivors that different Islamic religious groups, local clerics and religious fundamentalists supported and facilitated the attackers. Announcements by the cleric of a local mosque further provoked people. Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, said in blasphemy cases against minorities, it has never been proven if someone ever truly committed blasphemy. But never the accusers have been brought to justice.