Church leaders have called on Western governments to intervene and demand justice for the victims of the “worst incident of persecution against Christians” in Pakistan.
On one day in August, a mob of 7,000 people went on the rampage in Jaranwala, Pakistan and attacked a total of 26 churches and chapels, as well as a cemetery and hundreds of homes.
Father Abid Tanveer, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad, was on the scene when the atrocity took place.
He says international pressure is vital to ensure the prosecution of the culprits behind the attacks.
In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Tanveer said an economically faltering Pakistan would be open to calls made by Western powers on whom it depends for trade and aid.
The priest described encountering the “anger and hatred” of the mob as he entered Jaranwala on the day of the atrocity and said: “Unless justice is done, the victims of Jaranwala will never find closure. They will never feel safe. Governments in the West should call for justice. The Government in Pakistan will listen to the West because they need them in terms of aid and trade. The West should write to our government and ask why Christians in our country are being persecuted and what they are doing about it.”