SHEIKHUPURA: Police in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district have registered first information reports (FIRs) against a Christian man accused of sharing allegedly offensive religious content on social media and individuals accused of setting his home and clinic on fire.
The incident occurred in Gharyal Kalan village near Narang Mandi, where Kamran Masih, a 40-year-old Christian man who operates a medical clinic, was arrested following allegations that he had shared objectionable content online. The subsequent mob attack reportedly forced more than 35 Christian families to leave their homes amid fears of further violence.
MPA Emmanuel Ather Julius and his team arrived at the scene to assess the situation. An FIR against Masih was registered under Sections 295-A and 298-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), among other provisions reportedly invoked in connection with the alleged social media content. The case invokes Sections 436, 427, 147, 149 and 153-A of the PPC, alongside Sections 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The allegations include incitement, vandalism, arson and creating fear among residents. Police have reportedly arrested five suspects in connection with the attack.
Punjab Assembly minority representative Falbous Christopher also took notice of the incident and contacted local community leaders, urging calm and calling for action against those responsible for violence. The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly when accusations concerning religious content trigger public unrest.