Lahore: At least 42 Christians have been released from jail on charges of participating in a riot following a suicide attack on churches in Pakistan five years ago. In 2015, at least 15 people were killed in a suicide attack on a Protestant church in Lahore and a Catholic church. At least 70 people were injured. AKASH BASHEER, a Catholic youth, was killed when he tried to block the door of the suicide bomber who was trying to enter the Catholic Church. Widespread protests erupted after this.
The church strongly condemned the incident. 42 Christians have been arrested for allegedly participating in the riots that followed. The trial began in 2016 at the anti-terrorism court in Lahore. Christians are currently in prison after a three-year trial. Fr. Fr. Caser Firoz responded.
He commended the judicial actions of the Anti-Terrorist Court and thanked the government, Catholic Church leaders, activists, and human rights activists for their release. Sabir Michael, a Catholic human rights activist, told the agency after the verdict that the Christian community was happy. The majority of Islamists in Pakistan routinely make false accusations against Christians for their personal hatred.
