An emotionally charged mob that gathered outside the houses of members of the Christian community in Sargodha was dispersed on Saturday, and two families were rescued, a police official said.
Sargodha District Police Officer Asad Ejaz Malhi confirmed that the incident occurred in Sargodha’s Mujahid Colony today over an incident of alleged desecration, but stressed that a large contingent of police was deployed in the district and that there have been no fatalities.
According to DPO Malhi, when the police reached the scene, they saw the mob crowding around houses. The police cordonned off the two houses in the colony and safely recovered all the people.
The police officer said that an extra police force was called and deputed in different areas of the city for the safety of Christian community.
“The police peacefully dispersed all the people gathered outside the Christian families’ houses,” DPO Malhi said.
Unverified footage on social media showed a mob surrounding an injured man and separate videos showing men, some of whom appeared to be teenagers, wrecking furniture outside a house. A video shot from a separate angle showed a blaze of what appeared to be furniture.
While asked about the social media showing videos of setting a man on fire, DPO Malhi said that these were “fake videos” and no one was hurt in Sargodha district. Police is maintaining the law and order situation
The official said that a “district peace committee” was called to evaluate the situation and issue statement on the matter. The district committee includes the district administration, religious scholars of Muslim and minority community, he added. He said the Christian community will also be issuing a statement.
While answering a query on the alleged suspect, DPO Malhi said he could not yet confirm whether the alleged incident took place but the police have taken the person in custody and further investigation is under way.
The incident brought back memories of the harrowing incident in Jaranwala in August last year, where a mob rampaged through a Christian neighbourhood and torched dozens of houses and churches.
Human rights lawyer and politician Jibran Nasir saw the parallels in this latest incident to the one in Jaranwala, saying it was “another Jaranwala style attack on Christians in Sargodha with [a] mob attacking local community, burning and ransacking property”.
Taking to X, he denounced the “failure of the State to take any serious and sincere action against perpetrators of the Jaranwala incident” and how it “has only emboldened those who exploit religious sentiments for their criminal acts”.
Nasir also said representatives of the Christian community in Karachi, along with fellow members for civil society, have called a protest today at Karachi Press Club at 3:45pm.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
