Pakistan: Church in Rawalpindi set ablaze hours after Good Friday; police call short-circuit

On March 30, authorities in Gujar Khan city of Rawalpindi district, Pakistan, reported a disturbing incident where a Presbyterian church was set on fire around 3 am, mere hours after the observance of Good Friday. According to reports from the area, tensions had escalated between the Christian community and the owner of a local plaza on Good Friday due to the closure of a nearby street by the Church for security reasons.

Rawalpindi CPO Khalid Mahmood Hamdani stated that a preliminary inquiry indicated a short circuit as the cause of the fire, with no evidence of combustible materials found nearby. Responding to inquiries, the official asserted that the plaza’s owner was not implicated in the incident. However, Elder Javed, the church’s custodian, alleged that while he did not mention it initially, the police had cited a short circuit in their report.

Elder Javed further claimed that an altercation had ensued with a local resident, suggesting either the resident or someone acting on their behalf was responsible for the arson. Subsequently, the Christian community staged a protest outside the church, demanding an investigation by the Punjab administration and compensation for damages. Assistant Commissioner Gujar Khan Murad Hussain Nekokara assured the demonstrators of a fair investigation into the matter.

According to a church official, the conflict arose when the proprietor of a nearby plaza demanded the removal of tents erected by the church for security on Good Friday. However, intervention by police and other locals resolved the issue. Despite remaining closed for the night, the church was engulfed in flames on Saturday morning.

Lead pastor Adeem Alfons echoed concerns about ongoing tensions between the church and the plaza owner due to construction near the church premises. The closure of traffic by the church for security reasons exacerbated the dispute. Police and fire brigade were summoned following the deliberate ignition of the church by unknown individuals at approximately 3 am.