Pakistan Blasphemy Riots: Justice Isa visits Jaranwala to show solidarity with Christian community
Justice Qazi Faez Isa, senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court (SC), on Saturday, visited Faisalabad district of Pakistan to inquire about the situation of the local Christian community following the recent riots in Jaranwala area over alleged blasphemy.
On August 16, a mob targeted the Christian community — ransacking and torching their churches and homes there — leaving at least 19 churches and 86 homes in ruins, reports Dawn News.
The Punjab police have arrested at least 145 alleged miscreants, including two prime suspects, in connection with the incident so far.
The vandalism incident reportedly triggered nationwide outrage after footage of the incidents went viral online.
Justice Isa along with his wife met those people who were affected by the vandalism.
Speaking to the Christian victims, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News, “If anyone attacks churches, it is the responsibility of Muslims [to catch] the attackers."
A protest was held at Karachi’s Teen Talwar area on Saturday over the vandalism incident.
It was attended by activists, social workers and people from the Christian community. The protesters raised slogans against the Jaranwala attackers and held placards with inscriptions such as ‘stop misuse of blasphemy’, reports Dawn News.
The participants also carried Pakistan’s flag, copies of the Bible and the Christian cross.