Police in Pakistan have failed to comply with Supreme Court orders to arrest all suspects involved in the August 2023 attacks on multiple churches and Christian homes in Jaranwala, Punjab Province, a church leader said.
The Rev. Khalid Mukhtar, whose parish house was among the properties destroyed in the violence, said authorities had made little progress despite a March 31 Supreme Court ruling directing police to arrest absconding suspects and ordering the Faisalabad anti-terrorism court to conclude the trials within six months.
“The Supreme Court directed the police to immediately arrest all absconding suspects and ordered the anti-terrorism court to conclude the trials within six months,” said Mukhtar, now serving as priest of St. Joseph’s Church in Faisalabad. “Despite providing police with video and photographic evidence identifying many of those involved, there has been no meaningful progress in arrests. We have met senior police officials several times since the ruling, but their assurances have not translated into concrete action.”
Among 336 suspects against whom police have submitted charge sheets, only one remains in prison, while the others have either secured bail or been discharged from cases filed by Christian complainants, Mukhtar said.
“Police and intelligence reports estimated that more than 5,000 people participated in the attacks,” he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Although nearly 400 suspects were arrested initially, most were later granted bail, acquitted, or discharged because of weak investigations and insufficient evidence.”
Some complainants faced intimidation and pressure from suspects, he acknowledged.
“We recognize that some economically vulnerable Christian complainants could not withstand pressure and later gave statements favorable to the accused,” Mukhtar said. “But that does not explain the lack of progress in the five cases filed directly by the State.”
Mukhtar called for reopening three First Information Reports (FIRs) that police had moved into “closed-file” status.
“The State has both the authority and the resources to effectively prosecute those named in these FIRs,” he said. “Yet we have not seen any serious advancement in those cases either.”
On Wednesday (May 20), the Senate’s Standing Committee on Human Rights rejected a police report concerning the investigation and prosecution of the Jaranwala attacks, describing it as unsatisfactory. The committee, chaired by Sen. Khalil Tahir Sindhu, summoned the Inspector General of Punjab Police to appear before lawmakers with a revised report.
According to a report presented by a spokesperson for Faisalabad Regional Police, more than 5,000 individuals were initially accused in the Jaranwala violence cases, but only 382 suspects were arrested. Police submitted charge sheets against 336 suspects.
During the committee meeting, Lala Robin Daniel, patron-in-chief of the Minority Rights Movement, accused authorities of failing to ensure justice for affected Christians and criticized the government’s compensation efforts.
The Punjab government has stated that 22 church buildings were repaired and 84 affected families received compensation of 2 million Pakistani rupees ($7,170) each. Daniel, however, said several families remained without compensation nearly three years after the attacks.
“Every year on Aug. 14, Christians in Jaranwala celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day,” Daniel told the committee. “But when Aug. 16 arrives, our community relives grief and trauma. We will continue seeking justice until accountability is achieved.”
The violence in Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Quran and insulting Islam’s prophet – allegations a court later determined were fabricated. A trial court acquitted both men, ruling that they had been falsely implicated following a personal dispute.
Rights organizations say accountability for the attacks has remained limited despite repeated official assurances. According to Amnesty International, more than 5,200 people were allegedly involved in the attacks, but only about 380 were arrested.
“Of the arrested suspects, 228 were released on bail and charges against 77 others were dropped,” said Babu Ram Pant in a statement marking the first anniversary of the violence. He warned that weak investigations and prosecutions had contributed to “a climate of impunity.”
Blasphemy accusations in Pakistan have frequently led to mob violence, particularly targeting religious minorities. Although Pakistan’s blasphemy laws prescribe severe penalties, including death, executions for blasphemy have not been carried out by the state. Nevertheless, allegations alone often trigger unrest, vigilantism, and targeted attacks.
International advocacy organizations continue to raise concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan. In its 2026 World Watch List, Open Doors ranked Pakistan eighth among the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution and discrimination.
