LAHORE: Voicing his apprehensions, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has raised concerns about the possibility of foreign involvement in the recent tragic incident in Jaranwala, where a violent mob set fire to five churches. IGP Anwar highlighted that the timing and organized actions of the primary suspects have aroused suspicions of a well-coordinated plan.
According to him, it’s still early to definitively establish the claim of external involvement, but the Joint Investigation Team will explore this angle. He explained that the perpetrators might have intended to divert attention from the distressing situation by highlighting the issues faced by Muslim women in the neighboring country.
The large size of the crowd, estimated to be around five to six thousand people, posed a significant challenge for law enforcement. This risk of loss of life in a direct confrontation influenced the authorities’ approach to handling the situation.
IGP Anwar acknowledged the frustration and concerns regarding the response to the incident but emphasized the necessity of ensuring the safety of innocent lives amidst the chaos.
Key suspects involved in the torching of the churches, including primary suspects, have already been arrested, with over 130 individuals apprehended in total. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has aided the investigation by identifying more than 170 individuals.
IGP Anwar urged political parties to avoid exploiting the incident for their own purposes, emphasizing the importance of repairing Pakistan’s international image and delivering justice to the victims.
He declared the commitment to hold those responsible for the violence accountable in a court of law, underlining that the pursuit of justice should take precedence over political or party interests.
He acknowledged that while attempts by political groups to capitalize on the incident would be unfortunate, the nation’s unity and dedication to justice would ultimately prevail.
