LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed the inspector general of Punjab police to hear the point of view of a Christian trust organisation and decide its plea seeking a judicial inquiry into the burning of churches and houses by a mob in Jaranwala.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan issued the order, disposing of a writ petition by Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan, a missionary trust, filed through its chairman Peter Charles with multiple requests to the court.

Earlier, an assistant advocate general challenged the maintainability of the petition and requested the court to refer the petition to the IGP for a decision.

The judge agreed with the government’s lawyer and directed the IGP to decide the petitioner’s application within two weeks, strictly in accordance with the law.

Directs Punjab IG to address Christian body’s plea on church burning

The petitioner organisation stated that joint investigation teams (JITs) constituted by the government will submit their findings after completion of due course, which was a time-consuming practice, whereas the victims sought instant remedies to restore their routine life.

Expressing its concerns over the working of the JITs, the Christian body said more than 500 suspects were involved in the riots, but the police have arrested 25 to 30, just to save their skins. It alleged that police officials are also under undue pressure from influential extremist elements.

The petition pleaded that the Christian community is dissatisfied with the performance and discriminating behaviour of the police, as well as the proceedings of the JITs. It asked the court to order a judicial inquiry committee to ensure a fair investigation and trial of the perpetrators of the Jaranwala incident.

It urged the court to restrain the police from engaging in illegal abduction, harassment and pressurising of the members of the Christian community at the behest of religious elements for any undue, unfair compromise and settlement.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023