On the second anniversary of one of the worst anti-Christian attacks in Pakistan’s history, Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad has expressed deep frustration over the lack of justice for victims of the 2023 Jaranwala violence in Punjab.
In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on August 14, Bishop Rehmat said that despite more than 5,000 suspects named and hundreds arrested, not a single person has been convicted for the attacks that left 26 churches, 80 Christian homes, priests’ residences, and even gravestones vandalized.
“Justice has not been done,” said Bishop Rehmat. “The police have not done their duty. At this stage, we do not see any hope of any culprit being punished.”
The bishop highlighted that the only individuals who have faced punishment are Christians themselves, including three men, some of whom were acquitted of blasphemy charges, while others were sentenced for allegedly sharing images related to the desecration of the Qur’an, the incident that supposedly sparked the violence.
Adding to the community’s frustration, an Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad recently acquitted all 10 men accused of torching one of the churches.
According to ACN News, Father Khalid Rashid Asi, Director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) in Faisalabad, criticized the lack of legal support and growing threats to Christians seeking justice. “Our people are afraid,” he said. “The Muslim extremists are strong, and the threats are real.”
Tensions escalated further this week after a viral video showed a Muslim cleric calling churches “heaps of filth.” The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan strongly condemned the statement as “deeply derogatory.”
Despite the pain and unresolved justice, Bishop Rehmat also expressed gratitude to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for its ongoing support. “Your moral support, prayers, and sacrifices are tremendous,” he said. On August 16, he will lead the rededication of St. John’s Catholic Church in Jaranwala, a powerful symbol of resilience, though the presbytery remains unrepaired.
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