Pakistan’s provincial government in Punjab has declared a relief fund of Rs 2 million to assist approximately 100 Christian families whose residences were razed by radical extremists last week amidst allegations of blasphemy.
Incensed demonstrators rampaged through and set fire to 21 churches and multiple Christian homes in Jaranwala town of Faisalabad district, located 130 km from Lahore, the capital of Punjab province. The violence also extended to the desecration of a Christian cemetery and the vandalization of the local assistant commissioner’s office.
Punjab’s interim Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, stated, “Around 94 families will receive compensation of Rs 2 million each by tomorrow (Tuesday). This financial assistance will enable them to rebuild their homes that were damaged during the upheaval.”
