Churches set ablaze by mob in Pakistan
LAHORE, Pakistan, Sunday (Reuters) - A mob set ablaze three churches,
a convent and a priest's house in Pakistan's central Punjab province on
Saturday, according to police and clergy. Some 1,500 people took part in
the attack at Sangla Hill, around 70 km (44 miles) west of Lahore,
Catholic Archbishop Lawrence Saldanaha told a news conference.
"The attack seems to be planned and organised as the attackers were
brought to the site on buses," the archbishop said, citing reports from
witnesses.
The outbreak of anti-Christian violence appeared to have been sparked
by unsubstantiated accusations that a local Christian had desecrated the
Koran, he said.
He said the church's own initial investigation suggested the
accusations were motivated by a dispute over money. Akram Gill, a
Christian legislator, said the dispute was due to a gambling debt owed
by two Muslims to a Christian. |