Justice still pending as Jaranwala incident marks one year

The Christian community in Jaranwala is still awaiting justice one year after the mob attack on their community. The government of Pakistan had promised to provide justice to the victims of the vandalized Christian community and to punish those involved in the violence, but their efforts appear to have been ineffective.

On August 16, 2023, two Christian residents were allegedly accused of blasphemy, a charge that was later disproved. Despite this, a large mob went on to vandalize 20 churches and around 80 Christian homes.

Amnesty International has reported that more than 40 percent of the affected Christian families are still awaiting government compensation.

Out of the 5,213 suspects, 380 were arrested, but 305 individuals were released on court orders.

Only 85 out of 146 families have received compensation so far, while 61 are still waiting for their due.

‘’We saw our houses in complete shambles as the building would soon collapse. To date, we have received no support. My husband is unemployed for a year because no one hires him (due to stigma). Many people received the promised compensation of 2 million rupees (US$7,200), but we did not receive it’’ said Jaranwala resident Christian Khalida Bano.

The apex court disapproved the police report on the Jaranwala incident in February 2024, stating that it lacked the required information.

One year later, trials against the culprits have yet to commence.