Several videos of the incident circulated on social media, showing protesters looting items from the burning building and throwing them into burning piles in the street.
The mob set houses on fire and attacked several Christians.
Islamabad: In another “blasphemy” case, a Christian man was allegedly assaulted in the east. Pakistan He was arrested on suspicion of desecrating the Quran, and the Associated Press reported, citing officials, that the mob vandalized and set fire to his house, beating him in the process.
The crowd accused the Christian group of blasphemy and hurled stones and bricks at police, according to Sargodha district police chief Sharik Kamal, who said a large police force sealed off the area, pushed back the crowd and took five injured Christians to hospital.
A police spokesman and Christian leader Akmal Bhatti said the protesters set fire to at least one house and a small shoe factory after neighbours alleged that members of the minority community had desecrated the Quran, Islam’s holy book.
“They burned a house and lynched some Christians,” Bhatti said.
Several videos of the incident circulated on social media, showing protesters looting items from the burning building and throwing them into burning piles in the street.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ‘Concerned’
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed serious concern over the situation in Girwala village of Sargodha, where the Christian community is reportedly at grave risk from an attacking mob.
“HRCP is deeply concerned by the unfolding situation in #Sargodha. The Christian community of Girwala village is reportedly in danger of losing their lives at the hands of an attacking mob. There are also unconfirmed reports of a man allegedly being lynched,” HRCP posted on X.
“The Punjab police and local authorities must immediately restore peace and bring the perpetrators to justice while preventing further harm to the Christian community,” it added.
In August 2023, a mob stormed Jaranwala, Pakistan, burning down more than 21 churches and over 100 houses over suspected “blasphemy.”
The incident involved widespread looting and burning of hundreds of homes across 11 districts of Faisalabad district, resulting in the immediate displacement of 10,000 Christians and leaving 20,000 more affected.
