Christian homes attacked, President, PM take notice, CM orders Judicial inquiry

LAHORE: A frenzied mob on Saturday went on rampage, torching over 100 houses in Joseph Colony in Lahore's Badami Bagh area, Geo News reported.

A senior police officer Javed Khalid said Badami Bagh Police charged a 26-year old man Sawan Masih with blasphemy and booked him under Section 295-C. He said the accused had been arrested.

Geo News reporter said tension prevailed in the area since last night and on Saturday angry protesters went out of control.

They pelted police officials with stones, leaving several injured. Police have failed in containing the protesters.

The police requested some Muslim clerics to intervene and bring the situation under control.

Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council said people should refrain from such acts of violence as the accused had been arrested.

He said such acts would create wrong impression of the country. Other noted Ulema also condemned the violence and called on the government to provide protection to the Christians.

President, Prime Minister, CM Punjab take notice

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif have taken notice of the incident while CM Punjab has ordered a judicial inquiry.