The political leaders of Pakistan condemned the mob attacks on Christian places of worship and properties in Jaranwala town of Faisalabad in Punjab after the Holy Quran was allegedly desecrated on Wednesday.

“I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities,” Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar wrote on X.

All law enforcement agencies have been asked to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice, he said, while assuring that the government stands with every citizen on equal basis.

The statement came after reports emerged that at least three different places of worship were attacked and vandalised by the violent mob.

Videos surfaced on social media showing men tossing out the church’s contents and hammering down the cross on the top of the building after climbing to the roof.

Hours after the riots began, mobs were still on the roads and tensions in the city ran high, while Rangers were called in to assist the police in restoring order.

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif urged Ulema and religious scholars from all schools of thought to come forward and condemn the violent actions against Christian community.

“What is happening in Jaranwala is sad and disturbing. There is no place for violence in any religion. All religious places, Holy Books and personages are sacred and deserve our highest level of respect, he wrote on X.

“Pakistan belongs to all religious minorities,” he added.

The police have registered an FIR for desecration of the Holy Quran under the country’s blasphemy laws meant to protect all religions.

The FIR was registered videos went viral showing some people allegedly desecrating the Quran.

A charged mob then gathered in the city’s Cinema Chowk, where they made off towards Isa Nagri, the main Christian settlement.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that religious intolerance has no place in Islam and in the country’s national values.

“I strongly condemn the sad incident that happened to the Christian community in Jaranwala. This kind of malice and religious intolerance has no place in Islam and our national values. Those responsible should be brought to justice immediately,” he wrote on Twitter.

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Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani called for unity and respecting each other’s faiths and fostering harmony.

“Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, strongly condemns the recent attacks on Christian places of worship and property in Jaranwala, Pakistan. He urges all parties involved to maintain peace and refrain from violence. Let’s unite in respecting each other’s faiths and fostering harmony,” Office of the Chairman Senate, Pakistan posted on X.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf denounced the vandalism and violent attacks against the Christian community in Jaranwala,

Minorities are free in Pakistan and enjoys all fundamental rights. Safeguarding their places of worships is state and collective responsibility,“ he said.

He added that such incidents of violence and vandalism may be a conspiracy against Pakistan.