More than 100 homes were torched in a Christian enclave of the Pakistani city of Lahore at the weekend by a mob furious at reports of alleged blasphemy, the latest in a series of hate attacks.
Human rights groups and Christian leaders condemned the violence, demanding better protection for the country’s beleaguered minorities.
Xavier Williams, president of the Christian pressure group Life for All Pakistan, said: “The religious intolerance has increased to this extent that the people are willing to kill and burn people and properties. The religious minorities are not safe in Pakistan, they are targeted for their faith.”
The attack was prompted by the arrest of a Christian man on Friday after he allegedly made blasphemous comments.
Police said Imran Shahid, a Muslim, had been drinking with Sawan Masih, a Christian sanitary worker, when a drunken row erupted over religion. Mr Shahid accused his friend of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad as their argument turned ugly.
As word of the allegations spread, a crowd emerged from a nearby mosque and descended on Mr Masih’s house before he was detained by police.
Knowing what would follow, many Christian families fled their homes on Friday evening.
On Saturday the mob returned, setting fire to houses and carrying away looted property, including fridges, sewing machines and beds, according to witnesses.
Police said more than 2000 people were involved in the violence in Joseph Colony.
Salamat Masih, a resident, said he heard shouts of “burn them alive”.
“They threw acid and threw stones at the houses, the authorities kept silent and didn’t intervene until everything was burnt.”
Blasphemy is punishable by death but reformers argue the hard-line law is frequently used to settle personal disputes and to oppress religious minorities. Such is the anger aroused by such cases, that judges are under intense pressure to find defendants guilty and fear assassination if they acquit.
Prominent campaigners for changes to the law have been murdered.
Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The ugly fact is that the blasphemy law is an enabler of mob violence against vulnerable groups.
“As long as such laws remain on the books and the authorities remain unwilling or unable to rein in mobs playing judge, jury and executioner, Pakistan will remain plagued by abuse in the name of religion.”
The latest attack comes after a series of major bomb attacks against members of the Shia minority. Last Sunday 48 people were killed when a bomb exploded in a Shia neighbourhood of Karachi and many expect the violence to continue as Pakistan prepares for elections due in May.
Human rights groups and Christian leaders condemned the violence, demanding better protection for the country’s beleaguered minorities.
Xavier Williams, president of the Christian pressure group Life for All Pakistan, said: “The religious intolerance has increased to this extent that the people are willing to kill and burn people and properties. The religious minorities are not safe in Pakistan, they are targeted for their faith.”
The attack was prompted by the arrest of a Christian man on Friday after he allegedly made blasphemous comments.
Police said Imran Shahid, a Muslim, had been drinking with Sawan Masih, a Christian sanitary worker, when a drunken row erupted over religion. Mr Shahid accused his friend of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad as their argument turned ugly.
As word of the allegations spread, a crowd emerged from a nearby mosque and descended on Mr Masih’s house before he was detained by police.
Knowing what would follow, many Christian families fled their homes on Friday evening.
On Saturday the mob returned, setting fire to houses and carrying away looted property, including fridges, sewing machines and beds, according to witnesses.
Police said more than 2000 people were involved in the violence in Joseph Colony.
Salamat Masih, a resident, said he heard shouts of “burn them alive”.
“They threw acid and threw stones at the houses, the authorities kept silent and didn’t intervene until everything was burnt.”
Blasphemy is punishable by death but reformers argue the hard-line law is frequently used to settle personal disputes and to oppress religious minorities. Such is the anger aroused by such cases, that judges are under intense pressure to find defendants guilty and fear assassination if they acquit.
Prominent campaigners for changes to the law have been murdered.
Ali Dayan Hasan, Pakistan director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The ugly fact is that the blasphemy law is an enabler of mob violence against vulnerable groups.
“As long as such laws remain on the books and the authorities remain unwilling or unable to rein in mobs playing judge, jury and executioner, Pakistan will remain plagued by abuse in the name of religion.”
The latest attack comes after a series of major bomb attacks against members of the Shia minority. Last Sunday 48 people were killed when a bomb exploded in a Shia neighbourhood of Karachi and many expect the violence to continue as Pakistan prepares for elections due in May.