CSW urges strong government response

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) strongly condemns Islamist violence against Christians in Pakistan’s Punjab province, which left seven dead and at least 100 houses destroyed between 30 July and 2 August. CSW is urging the Pakistani government to act “quickly and strongly” to bring about justice and peace.

Seven Christians were killed in Gojra town, on 1 August, during riots which have rocked Pakistan. The attacks were propelled by Islamist militants, suspected to include members of the banned group, Sipah-e-Sahaba.

The riots followed an arson attack on houses belonging to Christians on 30 July in Korian village, near Gojra town, in which over 50 houses were destroyed. The attacking mob blocked the road, preventing access for police and the fire brigade, and clashed violently with police officers.

Police were criticised by prominent Christians for their slow response and for failing to pre-empt the second wave of violence, but have since arrested a number of extremists in connection with the attacks.

The original attack in Korian village followed an allegation that Christians desecrated a Qur’an, which government authorities have confirmed as spurious. According to Compass Direct News, the allegation followed a minor dispute between a Christian wedding party and a Muslim funeral, and other sources report that it was resolved by local community leaders.

Group Captain (Rtd) Cecil Chaudhry, Executive Secretary of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), said: “These attacks are deplorable, and the later violence in Gojra should have been foreseen and forestalled by the local authorities. That they failed to do so makes it all the more important for the police bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice. They must especially bring the extremists who instigated these and other attacks to trial under the Anti-Terrorism Act”.

CSW’s National Director, Stuart Windsor, said: “We condemn the violence in Punjab province, and we urge the Pakistani government to act quickly and strongly to secure justice and to bring about peace in the area by ensuring that those responsible are swiftly brought to trial in accordance with the law. We also continue to urge for the reform and eventual repeal of blasphemy laws, which give credence to the type of overblown allegations that catalysed this violence”.