Massive Christian protests broke out in a number of Pakistani villages after extremist Muslims burned down more than 100 Christian homes. This was in response to an accusation against a Christian for offending the Prophet Muhammad. Christian protesters destroyed the windows of buses and clashed with the police, who used sticks and teargas to break them up. Protesters are demanding greater protection in Islamabad, Karachi, Multan and Quetta. Following the events, all Catholic schools in Lahore and educational institutions in Karachi have closed their doors.
Despite the presence of security forces, the protests are growing and increasing in violence. Lahore Police have arrested more than 150 Muslims who will be tried at the anti-terrorism court. The minister of justice condemned those responsible for burning down Christian homes and promised that the offenders would be charged. Nevertheless, he told Christians not to take the law into their own hands.
The latest events indicate the growing sectarian tensions in Pakistan, where more than 97 per cent of the population is Muslim. The country has seen a wave of attacks against minorities, which brings concern for the approaching general elections scheduled for May.
Rights activists have said that the law against defamation of religions, or the blasphemy law, is often used against religious minorities, including Christians, Ahmadis, and Shī'ahs, and usually on flimsy pretexts (Author not mentioned, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Mar. 12, p. 15). Read original text in Arabic.
