Watch: Muslim mobs set fire to churches after Koran 'desecration'

A church is set on fire during riots in Jaranwal, east Pakistan Photo: Muhammad Shafqat/AP

Police denied the accusations, saying that prevented the situation from escalating further.

Authorities have imposed a ban on any gatherings of more than two people in the area for the next seven days. Paramilitaries cordoned off the Christian colony and blocked all entrances and exits with barbed wire.

Pastor Javed Bhatti described how he was awakened by the loud call of the mosque to protest alleged blasphemy by Christians. He gathered his family and ran out into the street where the Christians poured out of their homes.

His sister Nyla Bhatti said: “Some were running barefoot and some were running on rickshaws. Chaos reigned everywhere,” he said. “The children shouted: “Run, run, the clergy are coming! They will attack us.”

As panic spread, Muslims rushed to warn and shelter their neighbors. Delegations of Muslim clerics arrived in Jaranwala to help resolve the situation.

“The crowd came from outside [this area], but the local Muslims here helped us and tried to save us,” Pastor Bhatti said.

Tariq Rasool, who lives on the same narrow street as Bhatti, said that Muslims were quick to attach verses from the Koran to the doors of Christian homes in the hope that they would be spared the violence.

People gather outside a church destroyed by demonstrators Photo: Fayyaz Hussain/Reuters

Khalid Mukhtar, a local priest, said in his opinion, most of the 17 churches of Jaranwala were attacked. His own house was damaged.

Government officials said all damaged churches and houses would be rebuilt within a week and those affected would be compensated.

Since the violence erupted on Wednesday, more than 100 people suspected of rioting have been arrested.< /p>

Police have also opened a case against two Christian men who allegedly desecrated the Quran for violating the blasphemy law.

By law, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death. Although the authorities have yet to carry out the death penalty for blasphemy, often the very charge can provoke riots and lynchings.

Local and international human rights groups say the blasphemy allegations have often been used to intimidate religious minorities in Pakistan and settle personal scores. Amnesty International called on the Pakistani authorities to ensure the protection of minorities.

Paramilitaries patrol Jaranwala after riots in the city

«Vicious mob attacks is just the latest manifestation of the threat of vigilante violence that anyone can face in Pakistan after being accused of blasphemy,” the statement said.

Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan Minister vowed that “harsh measures” will be taken against those found breaking the law and attacking minorities.

“All law enforcement agencies were asked to detain the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands on equal footing with our citizens,” he said.