News Desk
Islamabad, August 15, 2024:
On the eve of the first anniversary of the tragic violence in Jaranwala, Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP) held a press conference sharply criticizing the government’s failure to provide justice to the victims. Akmal Bhatti, Chairman of MAP, described the government’s response as a “mockery” of justice, noting that 99% of the accused in the Jaranwala incident remain free.
Furthermore, Bhatti stated. “The fact that the victims have not yet received justice is a mockery of the claims made by government and police officials. The investigative officers and their committees have failed to fulfill their constitutional role. At present, only 11 individuals are behind bars, while the majority of the accused walk free, mocking both the government and the Christian community.”
The press conference was held to commemorate the violence that erupted in Jaranwala on August 16, 2023. During the incident, nearly 10,000 people participated in widespread attacks on Christian homes, churches, and cemeteries across a 10-kilometer area. The violence led to the destruction of 26 churches, the burning of thousands of copies of the Holy Bible, and the displacement of around 250 families, who fled the city in fear for their lives, stated MAP presser
According to Bhatti, the investigation into the incident was deeply flawed. Initially, hundreds of people were arrested to placate the Christian community, but most were later released. Of the 303 individuals who were sent to judicial lockup, only 11 remain in custody, with the rest free due to what Bhatti described as “poor investigation, negligence, and discriminatory behavior.”
Bhatti emphasized that the Jaranwala incident is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. He called on the government to take urgent action to bring the perpetrators to justice and to implement measures to protect vulnerable communities from future violence.
The remembrance event on August 16 will honor the victims of the Jaranwala violence and is open to the public, reflecting MAP’s commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue. Attendees are encouraged to wear black armbands and display black flags as a mark of protest against the violence and the government’s failure to deliver justice.