Pakistan: Over 100 held after multiple churches vandalised in Faisalabad

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Pakistan's Faisalabad, Geo News reported on Wednesday citing the Punjab interim government's spokesperson. Multiple churches have been vandalised in the Jaranwala district of Pakistan's Faisalabad on Wednesday over blasphemy allegations, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing officials. In a statement, a Punjab government spokesperson said that the provincial government has also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

Earlier, interim Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir had said that «dozens of people who disturbed peace» in the area were detained. In a statement, the minister said that the violence in Jaranwala was done under a «well-thought-out conspiracy». «There was a plan to disturb the peace by inciting public sentiments.

After the desecration of the Holy Quran, the angry protesters reacted strongly,» Geo News quoted Mir as saying, adding that the situation in Faisalabad is fully under control now. The provincial information minister also said that the investigation into the tragic incident of the desecration of the holy book is underway at a fast pace, adding that anyone who tries to take the law into his hands would be arrested immediately. The security of churches, he said, has been tightened and a large number of law enforcers have been deployed.

More than 6,000 policemen and Rangers personnel are present in the affected areas, Geo News reported. Meanwhile, Christian leaders have alleged that the police remained silent spectators, the Dawn report stated. President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall said Christians were being tortured and harassed.