Pakistani city calm after Christian slayings sparked unrest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 July 2010 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani city calm after Christian slayings sparked unrest, 23 July 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4c56d2ab28.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 23, 2010
Pakistani security officials carry the dead bodies of two Christians killed in the shooting
Tension has eased in the east-central Pakistani city of Faisalabad after the killing of two Christians accused of distributing anti-Islamic leaflets, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal reports.
Brothers Sajjad and Rashid Emmanuel were shot dead on July 19 at a local court. Their killing sparked violence between Christians and Muslims in different neighborhoods of the city.
Mubashir Mehmood, a journalist with FM 99 radio in Faisalabad, told Radio Mashaal on July 22 that while the city had been tense since the killing, the situation had calmed and the "city is under control."
Mehmood said the two majority-Christian neighborhoods, People's Colony and Waris Pura, were especially hard hit during the unrest.
Mehmood said Christians are the largest minority in Faisalabad, constituting between 20-30 percent of the population. Although a religious minority, they do not enjoy a privileged position in society.
Mehmood said Christians and Muslims have a long history of living together in Faisalabad.
Faisalabad is Pakistan's third-largest city, with some 2.2 million inhabitants.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
