Following accusations of Quran desecration against Christians, four churches in Pakistan were set on fire.

On Wednesday, August 16th, hundreds of Muslim men armed with clubs and stones attacked a Christian neighborhood in the city of Faisalabad. Videos shared on social media show some Muslim officials using loudspeakers to call for help from their co-religionists, claiming, "The Christians have insulted the Quran. All believers, all Muslims must gather in front of the mosque. Death is better than dishonor towards Islam."

Rana Imran Jamil, a local official in Faisalabad, told AFP that "photos and videos of a Quran being burned were circulated among the townspeople, sparking a major uproar."

In some videos, the Muslim crowd demands punishment for the blasphemers. Images of churches being destroyed and crosses being overturned have also been shared on social media.

It appears that no one was injured in the chaos. However, a total of four churches and a cemetery were attacked. Additionally, the building of the local government headquarters suffered damage during a gathering of people demanding government action and punishment for the alleged blasphemers.

As police forces intervened, clashes with the angry mob ensued. However, a local government official emphasized that the police were there only to control the situation. According to police reports, two Christian men who fled the city are now being pursued. It remains unclear what exactly these men did and why they fled.

Meanwhile, Azad Marshall, the Bishop of Lahore—located near Faisalabad—appealed for help from authorities via X (formerly Twitter), stating, "We call on law enforcement and judicial authorities to act immediately and assure us that our lives are valued in our own country."

In Pakistan, accusations of blasphemy or sacrilegious acts are highly sensitive and have often led to riots, unrest, and even killings. The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has repeatedly warned that blasphemy laws have become a tool for targeting religious minorities and settling personal scores.

In the case of the Faisalabad unrest, despite the rumors suddenly spreading on social media, it is still unclear who the accused Christians are and why they have been targeted.