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‘Possible short circuit’, Police launch investigation into Gujjar Khan church fire

News Desk

Apr 01

The Punjab government has initiated a thorough investigation into the burning of a church in Gujjar Khan, The News reported on Monday. 

However, police of that specific location didn’t register a first information report (FIR) of the case.

Investigators explained that the church had been constructed on land owned by the National Highway Authority (NHA) many years ago. NHA authorities themselves erected a building measuring 12 marlas on Kaliam Road approximately 25 years ago and relocated the church there.

They also said that Gujjar Khan Church had been empty for more than 12 years. The elders of the Christian community started Sunday services at Kaliam Road Church peacefully around 10 years ago. A preliminary investigation report has been sent to the Punjab Home Office, but it hasn’t identified any particular group or person involved.

Regional Police Officer (RPO), Rawalpindi Region, Babar Sarfaraz Alpa, when contacted to obtain his version about the occurrence, said, “The police recovered nothing yet except that the fire erupted due to a short circuit. However, the police have not given up the probe.” The investigators have collected forensic evidence and examined it, but have gotten no clue so far, the RPO concluded.

Dr. Majeed Abel, the Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, urged authorities to uncover and disclose what happened to the church. He demanded that those responsible be held accountable under the law.

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