In a recent report, Amnesty International stated that the majority of the suspects involved in a violent attack against Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan, over alleged blasphemy are still at large, one year after the incident. The attack resulted in the destruction of churches and homes belonging to Christians in the area of Punjab’s Faisalabad district.

The violence unfolded following accusations from Muslims claiming to have witnessed a local Christian and his friend desecrating pages from the Quran. Despite widespread condemnation of the attack, no casualties were reported as the targeted Christians fled to safety.

According to Amnesty International, out of the 5,213 individuals accused in connection to the attack, only 380 have been arrested, leaving 4,833 still evading authorities. Furthermore, a significant portion of those arrested have been released on bail or had their charges dropped, while trials for the remaining suspects have yet to commence.

The organization also highlighted that approximately 40% of the victims who faced property damage are still awaiting compensation from the government. Regional police chief Abid Khan mentioned that the cases linked to the violence have been referred to an anti-terrorism court, with trials anticipated to begin soon.

Despite assurances from authorities regarding accountability, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for South Asia, noted the lack of substantial action against the perpetrators, fostering a climate of impunity. In Pakistan, blasphemy allegations are common, with potentially severe penalties including death sentences for those found guilty of insulting Islam or its figures.

Yaqoob Yousaf, a local priest in Jaranwala, expressed concerns over the release of most suspects involved in the attacks and ongoing false accusations against Christians, resulting in a pervasive atmosphere of fear within Christian communities across the country.