LAHORE, Pakistan — Unrest in Pakistan that erupted in August after two Christian brothers were accused of blaspheming Islam has continued, with a pastor being shot and other Christians arrested, and an official in Pakistan blames India for the conflict.
After the Christian brothers were accused of blasphemy Aug. 16, Muslim mobs — incited by the Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan — set churches afire and ransacked homes and businesses of Christians in Jaranwala Tehsil in Faisalabad District. Reports from Morning Star News indicate police watched but did not intervene.
In a September press conference, Usman Anwar, police inspector general for Punjab, said the riots and desecration of the Quran (for which the brothers were accused) were an attempt by officials in India to divert attention from India’s mistreatment of Christians.
Religious leaders and rights advocates refute that explanation and have urged Lahore High Court to have the violence investigated.
Morning Star also reports that two Muslims accosted Presbyterian pastor Eleazar Sidhu on Sept. 3 and shot him in the chest. Sidhu is recovering.
Preceding the attack, Islamist slogans were painted Aug. 28 on his church in Kukranwala village of Jaranwala Tehsil.
Pakistan is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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