One year after one of the darkest days for Christians in Pakistan, the wounds of the Jaranwala riots remain painfully fresh. On Friday, August 16, Christians once again cried out for justice, as most of those responsible for the devastating violence have walked free.
On that tragic day in 2023, a frenzied mob of thousands attacked the Christian community in Jaranwala, driven by baseless accusations against two Christian brothers of blasphemy. More than 25 churches were desecrated, and 85 Christian homes were ransacked and looted, leaving the community in ruins. The brutality of the attack shocked the nation, drawing widespread condemnation.
Yet, despite the outcry, justice remains elusive. Out of over 300 people initially arrested, only a handful are facing trial in an anti-terrorism court, according to Akmal Bhatti, chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan.
“The majority of the suspects have either been released on bail or discharged due to flawed police investigations,” Bhatti said.
“The Jaranwala incident is a painful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by religious minorities in Pakistan,” he lamented. “The government’s failure to hold the perpetrators accountable reflects its apathy towards safeguarding religious minorities from future atrocities.”
Amnesty International’s findings paint a grim picture: of 5,213 suspects identified, only 380 were arrested, while a staggering 4,833 remain at large. Of those arrested, 228 have been released on bail, and charges against 77 others were dropped. This disheartening reality underscores the deep-seated challenges that continue to plague the quest for justice.
The pain and frustration in Jaranwala linger, as justice remains elusive and promises of support feel increasingly hollow. Despite the passage of time, trials for those responsible for the horrific attacks have yet to begin, and nearly 40 percent of victims who lost everything still await the compensation the government assured them. According to Amnesty International, the lack of decisive action has fostered a disturbing sense of impunity for the perpetrators.
“Despite the authorities’ promises of accountability, the woefully inadequate response has allowed those responsible for the Jaranwala violence to feel untouchable,” said Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for South Asia. His words echo the growing despair among those who continue to suffer in silence.
In Pakistan, blasphemy accusations are a terrifyingly common weapon, capable of sparking riots and unleashing deadly mob violence. Although the death penalty for blasphemy has not been enforced, the mere accusation can destroy lives. Earlier this year, the two Christian brothers at the center of the Jaranwala incident were acquitted, as an anti-terrorism court found another Christian had falsely accused them following a personal dispute. But this dismissal offers little solace to a community still reeling from the fallout.
The scars of the August 16, 2023, attacks run deep. Two Christian residents shared how life has become even more unbearable since that day. “The situation has worsened. Our Muslim neighbors and others have cut all ties with us,” Salim Masih said. “I used to run a tailoring shop with a few Muslim apprentices, but after the attack, my Muslim landlord forced me out, and my staff refused to work with me anymore.”
The ongoing ostracization and exclusion have left the Christian community feeling more isolated than ever, trapped in a cycle of fear and uncertainty with little hope on the horizon.
Salim Masih’s life has been turned upside down. Once a proud provider for his family, he now struggles to make ends meet, receiving only a fraction of the orders he once did before the horrific attacks. The impact of the violence extends beyond his household, affecting the entire Christian community in Jaranwala.
Yaqub Gill, another resident, knows all too well the price of seeking justice. As one of the complainants in the 17 private cases filed by Christians, alongside five registered by the state, he has faced relentless threats from local Muslims demanding he withdraw his complaint. “I was constantly threatened,” Gill said. “I informed the police, but instead of protecting me, they turned against me and framed me in a false case.”
The Christian community is reeling under the weight of these attacks. Many, like Gill, have lost their livelihoods as local factories dismissed Christian workers, and small businesses have crumbled due to the community’s ostracization. “Our people are suffering deeply,” Gill said. “Muslims in the area refuse to do business with us, leaving many of us financially devastated.”
The fear is pervasive. Following the police crackdown, Christians began receiving threats from members of the extremist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), warning them to drop their cases. “These threats have terrified many into silence,” Gill explained. “As a result, witnesses have refused to testify, leading to the release of suspects on bail.”
Salman Farooq of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlighted the injustice further. Among those recently released on bail is Younis Machhi, who had openly incited the mob from a mosque loudspeaker. “There’s clear video evidence of Younis Machhi urging people to attack Christians, yet he too has walked free,” Farooq said. “Those who have been freed are celebrated as heroes in their communities.”
A recent fact-finding visit to Jaranwala painted a grim picture. Many Christians reported being detained and tortured by police, Farooq noted. “The government’s promises of rehabilitation and compensation have largely fallen flat. Many families, especially those living in overcrowded homes after their own were destroyed, have not received the aid they were promised. At least 50 families are still waiting for the compensation they desperately need.”
The situation in Jaranwala remains dire, with the Christian community feeling abandoned, their cries for justice and support echoing unanswered in the void.
“The Jaranwala incident is a stark reminder of the state’s failure to enforce legal protections for minorities,” said Bishop Azad Marshall, President of the Church of Pakistan. His words reflect a deep sense of disillusionment with a system that seems unable—or unwilling—to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
The growing menace of extremist groups like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan has only heightened the urgency for action. The atmosphere is charged with tension, and Marshall warned that the government’s inaction could have devastating consequences. “Pakistan’s future hinges not just on protecting minority rights, but on fostering an inclusive and tolerant society where all citizens can live without fear,” he emphasized. “The stakes couldn’t be higher. The time to act is now before the consequences of this neglect become irreversible.”
The reality on the ground is grim. In 2023 alone, there were at least 193 attacks on minorities, including assaults on individuals, properties, and places of worship, according to the Centre for Social Justice. The surge in blasphemy accusations has led to at least 350 people being imprisoned in Punjab Province as of June, with 103 accused just since January.
Even more alarming is the increase in killings linked to blasphemy allegations. In the past two years, at least six individuals have been murdered by private citizens following accusations of blasphemy, according to the report. Alongside these extrajudicial killings, another three accused persons died in jail between June 2023 and 2024. In total, 11 people accused of blasphemy have lost their lives in the past 18 months—a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of unchecked extremism.
The numbers paint a tragic picture of a country where fear and violence overshadow justice and tolerance. The time for change is now, before more lives are lost, and more communities are torn apart by hatred.