“Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harassed, having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran. We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom."
An eyewitness speaking to ACI MENA commented on the rapid escalation of events, noting "unjustified attacks on Christian citizens." The source further stated that the veracity of the Qur'an desecration accusation remains unconfirmed.
Local law enforcement has intervened, working alongside other authorities to stabilize the situation.
According to a report by Times of India, blasphemy accusations have heightened tensions across the nation, instilling fear among the Christian community. Many have sought refuge, fearing for their safety and that of their families.
Videos on social media showed local Muslim leaders urging followers to demonstrate, the Guardian reported.
Pakistan, where over 90% of its population practices Islam, has seen a rise in religious intolerance. Christians, making up about 1.27% of the population, or about 2.6 million Christians, often find themselves in challenging circumstances due to this growing intolerance. Recent events have seen this intolerance manifest in violent attacks against the Christian community.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has labeled Pakistan a "Country of Particular Concern," emphasizing the need for action against these severe human rights violations.
Pakistan's stringent blasphemy laws are currently under review. The country already punishes those who defile or insult the Qur’an with life imprisonment. Those who defile the name of Muhammad or other Muslim prophets are punished with death. The Muslim prophets include Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and other biblical figures. Reports suggest that these laws have been weaponized against Christians, leading to numerous arrests and imprisonments.
From 1987 through the beginning of 2021, more than 1,800 people were charged with blasphemy under the country’s various anti-blasphemy laws. As of March this year, there were about 40 people who were either serving life sentences or on death row for blasphemy convictions. Since 1990, more than 80 people have been murdered for alleged blasphemy.
Tyler Arnold contributed to the report.
