Relief for Christians of Jaranwala, Pakistan

A total of 28 churches were fully gutted and 200+ Christian houses burnt down in recent violence targeting the Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad-Pakistan, according to a fact-finding report by local sources.

On August 16, 2023, radical mob in Jaranwala attacked churches and Christians, a total of 28 churches were burnt fully while more home churches and some prayer rooms/community halls were also affected.

There are over 200 Christian houses were affected in total. Over 10,000 Christians had hid in sugar cane and other fields, during the first nights of attack. This report is based on direct information and evidence through the fact-finding mission trip to the sites of the incident, interviews of victims, families, residents, church leaders, neighborhoods, journalists, police officials, local authorities, political workers and different stakeholders.

More than 150 victims and families and church leaders shared their stories about victimizations and religious persecutions, losses and immediate needs to help them urgently.

It was reported and observed that household items were looted, and the rest were burnt. There were no casualties reported since the people fled on time, they managed to escape. The human rights team said that most of those who fled are in facing traumatic conditions with several people sustaining injuries and a few women reporting abuses. Most of them were afraid that they did not want to return to their homes ever, the report said.

FIR at the local Police station was registered on August 16, morning, under sections 295B and 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code against two Christian men. FIR stated that the two Christians living in Jaranwala have blasphemed Muslims' holy book Quran and their Prophet Muhammad by using insulting words against Islam and the Prophet.

The survivors confirmed that different Islamic religious groups, local clerics and religious fundamentalists supported and facilitated the attackers. Announcements by the cleric of a local mosque further provoked people.

According to the most recent situation in Jaranwala area, the local business owners and landlords are intentionally firing Christian workers from the jobs.

In order to quickly help the persecuted Christians, IMPACT Relief International have distributed several school bags and small businesses to the deserving families. 100 more businesses will be awarded to one hundred families to earn their living and become small business owner. This is will be a perfect step to create an independent and sustainable community. These businesses will be distributed in the 11 affected colonies in Jaranwala, Faisalabad-Pakistan.

We will award 100 business to the families between October and November.

Please donate generously to support the Christians of Pakistan in their time of need.

IMPACT Relief International is a New York based tax-exempt, faith-based non-profit relief organization. Your contributions are Tax-Deductible.

God Bless You,

IMPACT Relief International, Inc.