Pakistan crowd vandalises churches, torches homes after blasphemy accusation

People gather at a church building vandalized by protesters in Jaranwala, Pakistan August 16, 2023 REUTERS/Fayyaz Hussain

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan on Wednesday, vandalising several churches and setting scores of houses on fire after accusing two of its members of desecrating the Koran, police and community leaders said.

The attack took place in Jaranwala in the industrial district of Faisalabad, police spokesman Naveed Ahmad said. The two Christians were accused of blasphemy, he said, adding they and family members had fled their homes.