QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | OCT-DEC 2026

Interfaith violence refers to acts of violence, intimidation, discrimination, or persecution directed against individuals or communities because of their religious identity or perceived affiliation. In Pakistan, such violence has often involved collective blame, where allegations against individuals have placed entire communities at risk. This can be seen from the attacks in Jaranwala on 16 August 2023, where a large-scale mob attack targeted the Christian community in Jaranwala (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2023). The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) documented attacks on multiple churches and Christian homes in Jaranwala following blasphemy allegations and announcements made through mosque loudspeakers (HRCP 2024, 32). The central issue was how an allegation could become a trigger for mobilisation against an entire community.