Faisalabad [Pakistan], January 7 (HBTV): Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on a church in Ghanaykay village of Kot Radha Kishan in Kasur district, which occurred on January 5, 2026, describing it as an assault that spread fear and deep distress among the local Christian community.
According to HRFP, the accused unlawfully entered the church, desecrated the Holy Bible by tearing its pages, and ransacked the premises. The organisation said the incident has caused serious concern among Christians in the area.
Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, demanded swift and transparent justice for those responsible. He said that merely identifying suspects and registering a First Information Report (FIR) was insufficient. ‘Preventing such incidents in the future is equally important,’ he said, calling for concrete and effective measures to protect religious minorities and safeguard places of worship. Walter added that although a local resident has been arrested in connection with the vandalism, accountability remains incomplete until the motives behind the crime and the possible involvement of accomplices are fully uncovered.
Walter stressed the urgent need for nationwide awareness and education initiatives to promote tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect among citizens, regardless of religion or belief. He urged the state to take a proactive role in countering religious intolerance, discrimination, and hate-driven violence.
Although a criminal case has been registered under Sections 295 and 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relate to offences against religion and acts intended to outrage religious feelings, Walter reiterated HRFP’s long-standing demand for the abolition of blasphemy laws. He said these laws are frequently misused and have resulted in the unjust imprisonment, harassment, and suffering of innocent individuals.
Referring to the recent release of Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, who had been imprisoned on blasphemy allegations, Walter said Mirza’s subsequent revelations regarding Christian and Muslim blasphemy victims further exposed the misuse of these laws and the innocence of many accused individuals he encountered during imprisonment.
Recalling past incidents, Walter also referred to the 2014 killing of a Christian couple who were burned alive in a brick kiln in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur, an incident he said continues to symbolise the grave dangers faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
He further disclosed that HRFP’s REAT Helpline received more than 1,200 calls in 2025 alone, most of them related to attacks on Christians and churches, false blasphemy accusations, abductions of girls, workplace discrimination, biased treatment, and incidents of violence.
Human Rights Focus Pakistan urged the government and law-enforcement agencies to ensure full accountability, strengthen preventive mechanisms, and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens, particularly religious minorities. (ANI)