An angry mob attacked a Christian individual, vandalized his home, and set properties on fire, accusing him of ‘blasphemy’ in Sargodha city, Pakistan, on Saturday, as reported by Geo News. This incident is one of many that underscore the precarious situation faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, who endure threats of persecution and violence.
The attack occurred in Mujahid Colony, Sargodha, in the Punjab province. The mob torched a shoe factory located in the victim’s house, burned tires, and damaged electrical installations in the area. The situation was brought under control when a significant police contingent arrived at the scene. The police managed to transport the injured victim and other wounded individuals to a hospital and arrested several suspects involved in the incident.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Shariq Kamal confirmed that the mob also attacked the police with stones but were eventually dispersed, according to Geo News. The RPO stated that the incident was under investigation and that those who “disturbed the law and order” would be strictly dealt with.
Sargodha District Police Officer Asad Ejaz Malhi told Dawn that the incident arose from alleged desecration. The police secured two houses in the colony and “safely recovered all the residents.” Unverified social media footage showed a mob surrounding an injured man and videos of individuals, some appearing to be teenagers, destroying furniture outside a house, as reported by Dawn. DPO Malhi claimed these were “fake videos” and asserted that no one was hurt in Sargodha district, adding that “Police is maintaining law and order.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concerns over the situation in Sargodha and urged the Punjab Police and district administration to restore calm and bring the perpetrators to justice. “HRCP is seriously concerned by the unfolding situation in #Sargodha, where the Christian community in Gillwala village is reportedly at grave risk to their lives at the hands of charged mobs. There are unconfirmed reports of a man having been allegedly lynched,” HRCP posted on X. “The Punjab police @OfficialDPRPP and district administration must immediately restore calm and bring the perpetrators to book while ensuring that the Christian community comes to no further harm,” they added.
A similar but more severe incident occurred in August last year in Jaranwala, Pakistan. Over 21 churches and more than a hundred houses were destroyed in a mob attack over blasphemy allegations, accompanied by widespread looting and burning of homes across 11 areas in the Faisalabad district. Around 10,000 Christians were immediately displaced, and 20,000 were affected by the incident.