Christians under siege in Lahore

An over 3,000-strong mob set ablaze more than 150 houses of Christians in Lahore’s Joseph Colony over alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker, three days earlier.

Sawan was arrested on Friday when his Muslim friend, Shahid Imran, accused him [Sawan] of blasphemy, triggering an exodus of fearful Christians from the neighbourhood. The police also took Chaman Masih, father of the accused, and one of his brothers into custody.

“Only the person who committed blasphemy should be taught a lesson, while remaining families should not be harmed,” Imran, who lodged a case against Sawan, told The Express Tribune. Imran added that he could not be blamed for the destruction that followed his FIR.