Mob in Pakistan torches Christian homes
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 March 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Mob in Pakistan torches Christian homes, 9 March 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/519a6ae619.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. |
March 09, 2013
A mob in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore has burned more than 50 houses of Christians over a blasphemy row.
Police official Multan Khan said some 3,000 Muslim protesters turned violent over derogatory remarks against the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
Police and rescue officials said that the houses were burned in Joseph Colony, an impoverished Christian neighborhood in Lahore's populous Badami Bagh area.
He said that police took a young Christian sanitary worker into custody on March 8 after some of his Muslim friends said he had made blasphemous remarks.
Blasphemy is a serious crime in Pakistan and can carry the death penalty as punishment.
Pakistan's religious minorities have campaigned for repealing the blasphemy laws claiming they are used to persecute them.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
