CNN —Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province have arrested more than 100 people after crowds descended on churches and set them on fire on Wednesday, raising concerns over the discrimination faced by religious minorities in the country.
At least 17 churches have been vandalized since Wednesday, according to the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), a Pakistani government body.
The attacks took place after a Christian man was accused of committing blasphemy and desecrating the Quran.
“According to NCHR inquiry, 17 Churches in #Jaranwala have been targeted.
12 registered churches and 5 smaller, unregistered churches,” NCHR posted on X, previously known as Twitter, on Thursday.
Persons:
” NCHR, Anwaar, Haq Kakar, “, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, ” Baloch, Riina Kionka, Prophet Mohammed, Asia Bibi
Organizations:
CNN, Authorities, National Commission for Human Rights, ” Ministry of Foreign, ” Police, PM, European Union
Locations:
Pakistan’s Punjab, Pakistani, Jaranwala, Punjab, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan, EU, Lahore’s Badami Bagh