Angry mob torches dozens of houses

Angry mob torched dozens
of houses in Joseph Colony here at
Badami Bagh area on Saturday
following allegations of blasphemy
against a Christian man.
The angry mob attacked the houses
in protest what they claimed
blasphemy act by a Christian man.
Tension prevailed in the area since
Friday night and on Saturday angry
protesters went berserk. They pelted
police officials with stones , leaving
several injured. Police have failed in
restricting the protesters.
Later, the police requested some
Muslim clerics to intervene and bring
the situation under control.
Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman
Pakistan Ulema Council said people
should refrain from such acts of
violence as the accused had been
arrested . He said such acts would
create wrong impression of the
country. Other Ulema also condemned
the violence.
A senior police officer Javed Khalid
said Badami Bagh Police charged a 26-
year old man Sawan Masih with
blasphemy and booked him under
Section 295-C. He said the accused had
been arrested.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah
said the accused man was in police
custody. He said all those involved in
the arson would be arrested, adding
that his government would try to
rehabilitate the affected Christian
families.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has
taken notice of the incident and has
sought a report from the Home
Secretary Punjab.
On the other hand, the Human Rights
Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
expresses deep grief and anger at the
unchecked attack on over 100 homes
belonging to the Christian community
in Badami Bagh. The shocking incident
occurred after a Christian young man
was accused of blasphemy.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari
has taken notice of the incident of
torching of the houses of Christian
community by a mob in Badami Bagh
and had called for a report into that
unfortunate incident. Spokesperson to
the President Senator Farhatullah
Babar said that the President,
expressing grave concern over the
incident of vandalism, has directed the
authorities to ensure safety and
security of lives and property of the
citizens.
The President said that safeguarding
the rights of all citizens — Muslims and
non Muslims alike was one of the main
responsibilities of the Government and
it would continue undertaking every
effort for protection of their rights as
enshrined in the Constitution of
Pakistan.
Shahbaz orders judicial inquiry