ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government’s report on the Jaranwala incident was rejected by the top court on Tuesday. The court noted that the Punjab Police were aware of the individuals responsible for the vandalism of Christian places of worship, but they were hesitant to identify them.
In addition, the court ordered the authorities to provide a fresh report on the incident within ten days, threatening to remove or suspend the relevant officials if the report turned out to be inadequate.
On Tuesday, a three-judge panel headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa and consisting of Justice Mussarat Hilali and Muhammad Ali Mazhar took up a constitutional petition that Christian community members had filed asking for an investigation into the August 2023 incidents.
Following accusations of the Holy Quran being desecrated, there was a communal outburst at Jaranwala tehsil in Faisalabad on August 16, 2023. Numerous churches, places of worship, and Christian-owned properties were damaged and vandalised during the riots.
The petitioners stated that such a large number of churches have never been demolished in one incident in a single day in Pakistani history. As a result of the burning of at least 24 churches and numerous smaller chapels, the petition claimed to be both manageable and of significant public concern.
CJ Isa stated during the hearings that although individuals in other nations complain about Islamophobia, they themselves participate in the mistreatment of minorities. He posed the question, “Do we want to imitate the treatment meted out to minorities in India?”
The court bemoaned the police’s lack of effort to quell the rioters on August 16 and their passive observer attitude. He claimed that although the police are acting weak and cowardly, they know who the true offenders are in the Jaranwala event.
“The public’s trust in the police was damaged by their inability to apprehend the perpetrators. The judge noted that the attackers from the Jaranwala incident seemed to have frightened the Punjab police.
As a citizen, Justice Isa expressed embarrassment about Pakistan having the largest number of blasphemy trials worldwide. He claimed that others have made it their business.
“Those who are ignorant of Islam are posing as authorities.” Islam forbids attacking houses of religion, the man stated.
Notices were also sent by the court to the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), all province governments, and the federal government.
It stated that in the fight against extremism, violence, terrorism, sectarianism, and hatred, both the government and the media must have their say. It stated that in accordance with Section 20 of the PEMRA Ordinance, the media ought to release specific messages encouraging religious harmony.
Additionally, the government was given two months by the court to produce a report that included information about every site of worship that belonged to a minority community.
The court further ordered the government to post comprehensive information about every Sikh Gurdwara and Hindu temple, including with images, on the Evacuee Trust Property Board website. Later, the court postponed its decision indefinitely.
