Jaranwala Rampage Case
The Supreme Court (SC) will hear the case of arson and rampage in Jaranwala town, where a Christian neighborhood was targeted, in the industrial district of Faisalabad. A three-member bench will review this incident of violence against the religious minority
On August 16, a mob vandalized churches and set numerous houses ablaze in Jaranwala following incitement from mosque clerics, alleging blasphemy by the Christian community.
The violent mob not only committed arson but also looted valuables from abandoned Christian homes after their owners fled in response to mosque-led protests.
Justice Ijaz-Ul-Ahsan will lead the bench, accompanied by Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.
Minority leader Samuel Pyaray filed a miscellaneous petition in the SC to address the Jaranwala tragedy.
This marks the second scheduled hearing for the petition. Last month, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Bandial constituted a three-member bench, including himself, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Shahid Waheed, to address pleas related to the Jaranwala incident.
The hearing initially set for August 22, however, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing due to a lack of a police report on the incident from the Human Rights Cell.
After the violence, Christian families took refuge in fields and desolate areas, while others moved to stay with relatives due to their targeted and attacked homes.
Authorities registered two cases against the arsonists in Jaranwala, charging them with terrorism and blasphemy. The investigation included 37 named suspects and over 600 unidentified individuals.
Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested two men suspected of inciting violence against minority places of worship by making announcements at a mosque in Jaranwala.
In an effort to investigate the incident, promote interfaith unity, and counter extremist narratives, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and the Church of Pakistan jointly established a 24-member committee on August 20.
