Jaranwala Rampage
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) is hearing today the case of arson and rampage in Jaranwala town. In this tragedy, a Christian neighborhood was targeted, in the industrial district of Faisalabad. A three-member SC bench will take up for hearing today this case of violence against the religious minority
On August 16, a mob vandalized churches and set numerous houses ablaze in Jaranwala. The incident was an outcome of incitement from mosque clerics, alleging blasphemy by the Christian community.
File photo of arsonists attack on churches in Jaranwala.
The violent mob not only committed arson but also looted valuables from abandoned Christian homes after their owners fled in response to protests.
Justice Ijaz-Ul-Ahsan is heading the bench, comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.
Minority leader Samuel Pyaray filed a miscellaneous petition in the apex court seeking justice in 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, and comprising Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Shahid Waheed, to hear the case.
The hearing was initially set for August 22, however, the Supreme Court postponed it 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. Many 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 suspects and over 600 unidentified individuals.
