JARANWALA, Pakistan: Senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court (SC), Justice Qazi Faez Isa visited Faisalabad district’s Jaranwala tehsil today (Saturday) to inquire about the well-being of the local Christian community after Wednesday’s riots over alleged blasphemy.
On Wednesday, a mob ransacked and torched churches and homes of Christians there leaving at least 19 churches and 86 homes in ruins. The Punjab police have so far arrested 145 alleged miscreants, including two prime suspects. The police have booked over 1400 miscreants.
The arson sparked countrywide outrage with various religious clerics strongly condemning the incident and urging “exemplary punishment” to be given to the perpetrators.
Justice Isa along with his wife paid visit to the Christian-populated area of Jaranwala, where he met the affectees and assessed the losses.
Speaking to the victims, Qazi Faez Isa said if anyone attacks churches, it is the responsibility of Muslims to prevent the attackers.
Justice Isa said he had brought some “food packets” for them, which he acknowledged were akin to a “drop in the ocean”.
“We want others to do the same,” he hoped. “Who has the greatest responsibility? [It is] Muslims. They should help you,” the SC judge said.
“Why leave everything to the state?” he said and asked the Christian leader to see who needed aid the most.
