The Supreme Court on Tuesday instructed the trial court to finalize proceedings within six months in the high-profile Jaranwala church attack case. It also ordered the immediate arrest of suspects who are currently absconding. A two-member bench, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, reviewed petitions filed by the Punjab government seeking cancellation of bail granted to the accused.
During the hearing, Additional Prosecutor General Punjab Ahmad Gilani emphasized the urgency of expediting the trial. The Punjab government’s legal counsel requested the apex court to establish a definitive timeline for the case, citing significant delays in the judicial process. Responding to these concerns, the court directed the trial court to conclude the trial within six months.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General (IG) Punjab was ordered to ensure the swift arrest of all proclaimed offenders involved in the incident. Chief Justice Afridi stressed that suspects evading arrest must be apprehended promptly to uphold justice.
The Jaranwala case, which has attracted nationwide attention, remains highly sensitive. Authorities face mounting pressure to deliver accountability through timely legal action. In 2023, a mob attacked and vandalized several churches and set fire to homes belonging to the Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, following blasphemy allegations.
At the start of the hearing, the Additional Advocate General Punjab presented the investigation report, revealing that 304 suspects had been arrested and 18 challans related to 22 FIRs had been submitted to the courts in connection with the Jaranwala incident. However, then Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa rejected the Punjab government’s report, questioning the slow progress of the challans.
The Chief Justice remarked critically on the police response, stating that Gujranwala’s police had passively observed the riots in Jaranwala. He highlighted the contradiction in condemning Islamophobia globally while failing to act decisively at home.
Following the violence, Jaranwala police registered terror cases against more than 600 individuals. the First Information Report (FIR), a mob of 500 to 600 people, led by certain groups, attacked the Christian community, forcibly entered and ransacked homes, and set fire to both residences and the church building.
