Jaranwala continues to grapple with aftermath of the assaults (one year on)

In the small town of Jaranwala, Pakistan, a tragic incident unfolded on August 16, 2023, when thousands of Muslims ransacked and looted over 25 churches and 85 homes of Christians. This attack, which followed accusations that two Christian brothers had written blasphemous content and desecrated the Quran, has raised serious concerns about the protection of religious minorities in the country.

According to attorney and political leader Akmal Bhatti, the government's failure to bring the perpetrators to justice shows a lack of interest in protecting religious minorities from future violence. In the aftermath of the attacks, at least 193 attacks on minorities were reported in Pakistan in 2023, including assaults on individuals, properties, and places of worship.

The Jaranwala incident has also highlighted the issue of defective police investigations. The chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan, attorney Akmal Bhatti, stated that a majority of the suspects have been bailed out or discharged from the cases due to such investigative shortcomings. Out of more than 300 arrested suspects, only a dozen are facing trials in an anti-terrorism court, with 228 being released on bail and 77 others having the charges against them dropped.

The state could have potentially prevented the attacks in Jaranwala and other places if it had fully implemented the recommendations made by former Chief Justice Tassaduq Jillani in 2014. These recommendations included creating a special police force for protecting places of worship, establishing a National Council for Minorities' Rights, and reforming educational curricula to foster religious harmony. However, the implementation of these recommendations has been sluggish and incomplete.

The Jaranwala incident also questions the effectiveness and enforcement of legal protections for minorities. Church leaders and rights activists claim that the government's failure to implement Jillani's recommendations has left religious minorities vulnerable to repeated acts of violence and persecution. Many Christians in Jaranwala have complained of police detention, torture, and incomplete rehabilitation.

Moreover, the issue of blasphemy continues to be a contentious one in Pakistan. Blasphemy accusations are common, and those found guilty of insulting Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, can be sentenced to death. An increase in blasphemy cases has seen at least 350 persons behind bars in the Punjab Province as of June, with 103 being accused of blasphemy since January.

The Jaranwala incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. Amnesty International found that of the 5,213 suspects, 380 were arrested while 4,833 remained at large. The organisation also reported that trials of suspects have not started, and about 40% of victims who lost property are still awaiting government compensation.

As the nation grapples with these issues, it is crucial for the government to take decisive action to ensure the safety and rights of all its citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. The Jaranwala incident underscores the need for a more effective and comprehensive approach to protecting religious minorities and upholding the rule of law in Pakistan.