Badami Bagh arson in Lahore : Christians seek justice

Members of the Christian
community on Saturday staged violent
protest demonstrations across the
metropolis against Lahore attacks on their
houses. The attacks are cited to be a
reaction against an alleged blasphemy
case against a Christian man.
A large number of people from the
Christian community assembled Essa
Nagri, Sharah-e-Faisal and Korangi.
Protesters in Essa Nagri area burnt tyres
and pelted passing vehicles with stones,
causing traffic jams on Shahrah-e-Faisal.
Church of Pakistan Karachi Dioceses
Bishop Sadiq Daniel strongly condemned
the incident, stating that at least 175
families had been directly affected by the
arson. Victimizing minorities had become
nefarious on pretext of blasphemy
allegations. Knowing the repercussions in
Pakistan, it is highly unlikely that
someone would resort to blasphemy, said
Daniel.
Christian Community leader Bishop Dr
Ijaz Inayat Bhatti termed the incident a
crime against humanity, adding, “Torching
more than 100 houses for allegations
against a single person is an inhuman act
and a disservice to Islam.” He said Islam
is a religion of peace and saving the lives
and possessions of their Christian
brothers was an obligation for Muslims.
He also said that it was illogical that a
person in Pakistan would commit
blasphemy. He added, “If a person did
this, than judiciary and administration is
here to probe into the matter and punish
the guilty person. What is this if some
people declared themselves plaintiff,
lawyer, judge and executer at a time.”
Dr. Bhatti demanded the government
and army to arrest the culprits, or they
would approach UN for justice.
He also announced a massive protest
demonstration on Sunday (today) outside
the Karachi Press Club. Several political
and religio-political parties, including
MQM, ANP, PTI, MQM-H, JI, ST and MWM
condemned the incident.