Rampaging mob sets churches on fire in Pakistan - Christian family accused of blasphemy

A rampaging mob in eastern Pakistan set several churches on fire after accusing a Christian family of blasphemy, officials said. The attack occurred in the predominantly Christian area of Faisalabad city, where hundreds of people armed with sticks and rocks stormed the area.

Images on social media showed smoke rising from the church buildings as people set fire to furniture that had been dragged out. The attack was triggered by religious zealots accusing a local Christian family of desecrating the Quran.

While there were no reports of injuries, the Christian community expressed deep pain and distress, calling for justice and action from law enforcement. Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in ultra-conservative Pakistan, where insulting Islam or Islamic figures can lead to the death penalty.

Christians in Pakistan, who make up around two percent of the population, are frequently targeted with unfounded blasphemy allegations and occupy one of the lowest rungs in society. The attack on the churches in Faisalabad comes as Pakistani leaders and political parties have been rallying around the issue of blasphemy, which has led to assassinations, threats of annihilation, and violence against those accused.

The violent incident in Faisalabad prompted the government to call in Pakistani Rangers to control the situation, and police have registered a first information report against the accused under blasphemy laws. The caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan has promised that those guilty will be punished. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense in the area as police work to restore control.