Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan has condemned the recent incidents in Jarnawala, including the burning of the Qur’ān and arson of churches and houses, demanding transparent inquiry into all. Emphasising the gravity of the situation, the JI Chief Sirajul Haq labelled the incident as a deliberate plot aimed at sowing discord and disrupting peace and order. He has demanded to give stringent punishment publicly to the people involved in these crimes. In light of the violence, he also praised the locals who provided shelter to elderly and young members of the Christian community. In a viral video, the JI chief is seen consoling a little Christian girl and telling her that they would rebuild their houses.
The JI chief also revealed that more than 19 churches and 86 houses had been set ablaze. Talking to local media persons after visiting affected areas in Jaranwala, the JI chief said acts of setting places of worship and homes on fire were condemnable and announced that JI under Alkhidmat Foundation would install water filtration plant and build the affected homes. He also announced free of cost education up to intermediate level, sponsorship and free of interest loans to Christian children. The JI’s charitable arm, al-Khidmat Foundation, reportedly pledged to rebuild the damaged houses and contribute to the renovation of the affected churches. Al-khidmat Foundation has reportedly started the relief and rehabilitation work. It has laid the foundation stone of water filtration plant at the Christian locality affected from recent Jaranwala carnage.