GUJRAT, Pakistan — Muslim extremists shot at and beat dozens of Christians Sept. 23, including one cleared of “blasphemy” charges, in Punjab province’s Gujrat district, Christian leaders said.
The attack on Tariq Gill, exonerated of charges of blaspheming the Quran on Sept. 3, 2009; his father, Murad Gill; his mother; and the other Christian residents was the latest of more than 10 such assaults on the Christian colony of Mohalla Kalupura, Gujrat city, since Sept. 8, said Pastor Suleman Nasri Khan and Bishop Shamas Pervaiz. About 40 Islamists — some shooting Kalashnikovs and pistols at homes and individuals on the street, others brandishing axes and clubs — beat some of the Christians so badly that they left them for dead, Khan said. So far, 10 families have been targeted for the attacks. Pervaiz, central vice chairman of the Pakistan Interfaith Peace Council, said the mob was led by two members of the National Assembly, Meer Anjum and Farasat Dar, at the behest of a powerful member of the Punjab Assembly named Sheik Islam.
The three Muslim politicians were not available for comment, but the Gujrat superintendent of police investigations, identified only as Hafeez, told Christian leaders they were respectable legislators who were innocent. Pervaiz said the attackers have threatened to kill him, Khan and Bishop Yashua John and continue to roam the streets looking for Christian residents to kill.
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