October 6, 2025
By Aitzaz Ibrahim & Ali Baig
LAHORE
Despite the passage of two years since the Jaranwala tragedy, victims of the incident continue to await financial compensation, while no perpetrator has yet been convicted.
Expressing concern over the lack of progress, the Minority Rights Movement and the Jaranwala Victims’ Committee organized a conference at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) auditorium in Lahore, to highlight the victims’ grievances and demand justice.
The conference was attended by Lala Robin Daniel, head of the Minority Rights Movement; Samson Salamat, Chairman of the Rwadari Tehreek; Munizae Jahangir, journalist and co-chairperson of HRCP; as well as members of the minority community and victims of the Jaranwala incident.
Speaking to Voicepk, Lala Robin shared detailed information about the case, stating that a total of 23 FIRs were registered in connection with the Jaranwala incident, eight of which were lodged by the police. According to a report submitted by the Inspector General of Punjab Police to the Supreme Court, 5,220 suspects were allegedly involved in the attack. Out of them, 381 suspects were arrested, but 380 were released on bail, while only one accused remains in custody.
Robin claimed that the victims faced greater injustice at the hands of the police, alleging that even in the cases where victims were the complainants, they were not informed who the investigating officers were and that no official had ever contacted them. He added that only 81 victims have received compensation so far, demanding that the remaining victims be compensated without further delay.
Munizae Jahangir, Co-Chairperson of HRCP, criticized the government for failing to bring the perpetrators of the Jaranwala tragedy to justice. She said that when the incident occurred, there was a caretaker setup in power, and many had hoped that once an elected government assumed office, progress would be made in the case. “I was encouraged when Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that minorities are the jewel of our society, and I believed that the perpetrators would finally be punished. But two years have passed, and only one accused remains behind bars while the rest are out on bail. The investigation has been extremely poor, and the state has failed to deliver justice,” she lamented.
Victims of Jaranwala, whose homes were torched during the attacks, told Voicepk that despite repeated government promises, they have not received any financial assistance. They said their homes were burned down, and they continue to live in difficult conditions without support. The victims expressed fear that many of those involved in the attacks are freely roaming around, leaving the Christian community in Jaranwala feeling increasingly unsafe. They urged the government to fulfill its commitment and disburse compensation to all affected families immediately.
Minority representatives participating in the conference expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity among religious minorities in Punjab. They said the state has shown little interest in ensuring their safety, while religious extremism has intensified, making minorities more vulnerable. “Militant religious groups in Punjab have been given a free hand,” they said, warning that the worsening situation has compelled them to issue an SOS call to the federal government and human rights organizations. They stressed that they can no longer live in helplessness and demanded urgent and serious measures to protect minorities and ensure justice for the victims of Jaranwala.