FAISALABAD: Senior judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday reached Jaranwala in district Faisalabad to witness the situation after an attack on churches.
Justice Isa, who will take over as Chief Justice of Pakistan next month, was briefed by police and civil administration at the Danish School in Jaranwala over the situation.
He also met the victims of the displaced minority community and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He also visited the affected church and settlement that was attacked by a violent mob.
Talking on the occasion, he condemned the Jaranwala incident saying that Pakistan’s Constitution and law were trampled by burning down the Christians’ dwellings and churches as the white color in our flag guarantees the protection of the rights of minorities.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that an unruly crowd of misguided people burnt down many churches and Christian houses. He said that he was shocked and saddened to know about the incident as a Muslim and a Pakistani. Those who vandalized the churches have violated the orders of the Holy Quran.
The Supreme Court judge said that attacks on churches are a blatant violation of the clear instructions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the exemplary character of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (Khulfa-e-Rashidin). This violation of Islamic Shariah cannot be justified by any revenge or retribution.
Justice Isa said that this action of some misguided elements is also a violation of the guarantee given to the minorities by the Founder of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan’s Constitution and law were trampled.
He called upon the authorities to make every possible effort to compensate for the damage caused to the victims.
Meanwhile, the number of suspects arrested after the incidents has reached 145. The incident occurred on Wednesday after a violent mob of hundreds ransacked and torched several churches and residences of members of the Christian community.
A Christian cemetery and the office of the local assistant commissioner were also vandalised. The minority community fled the area and was forced to stay in nearby fields.
The Punjab government had ordered the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident, in line with directives issued by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq.
Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Moshin Naqvi on both main accused in Jaranwala rampage was now in the custody of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
He appreciated the provincial chief secretary and police chief for their relentless efforts and thanked the interim prime minister for driving the swift arrest process.
Naqvi also announced that the Punjab government would restore all the churches and homes ransacked in the incident and asserted that such incidents were against the teachings of Islam.
He claimed the mob-led attack was a “planned conspiracy” to sabotage peace in the country. The chief minister added that all Pakistanis were one and promised to prevent any such conspiracy in the future.
