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. Read more
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