News
Pakistan to Compensate Christian Victims of Religious Violence
Pakistan sets example offering compensation to the Christians who lost their homes in last week's religious violence and to rebuild the burned church buildings.
Aug 25, 2023By News Desk
On August 22, 2023, Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, promised 2 million Pakistani rupees (INR 275,000) in compensation for each of the nearly 100 poor Christians who lost their homes in an attack by Muslims alleging desecration of the Quran. The mob burnt about nineteen churches and damaged houses.
In front of local priests and residents, Mr Naqvi held a Cabinet meeting at a burned church in Jaranwala to approve compensation for the victims. He ordered all rioters to be arrested. Mansoor Sadiq, the local police chief, said 160 rioters have been arrested, and 450 more are being sought. Mr Kakar said that authorities have begun to repair the churches and that all damaged places of worship will be restored to their original condition.
The rioters alleged that a local Christian and his friend tore pages out of a Quran, threw them on the ground and wrote insulting remarks on other pages. Hundreds of terrified Christians who fled their homes have returned, only to see destruction everywhere. They have lived outside their burned homes, fearing the structures may collapse.
People who insult Islam in Pakistan can be executed under the country's blasphemy laws. Blasphemy has yet to be punished with the death penalty, but mere accusations can often provoke mob violence.
Pakistan’s response to mob violence in the name of religion has set an example to political leaders worldwide.
(With input from multiple sources).
