KASUR, Pakistan: A Christian family in Pakistan’s Punjab province has accused local residents of deliberately setting their home on fire in what they describe as a retaliatory attack following a dispute over the alleged theft of a church battery. Police have registered a criminal case and launched an investigation.
The incident occurred on 5 July 2026 in Behrwal Kalan village, Pattoki Tehsil, Kasur District, while members of the Christian family were attending a Sunday church service.
According to a written complaint submitted to Sarai Mughal Police Station, complainant Arshad Masih, a member of the local church administration, said that a battery belonging to the church had been stolen several days earlier. The family suspected a local resident, Muhammad Rizwan, also known as Jani, of the theft and questioned him about the missing property.
Arshad alleged that the questioning angered the suspect and led to retaliation.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Arshad and his family had gone to church at around 11:00 a.m. on 5 July when Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Muhammad Rizwan alias Jani, and two unidentified accomplices, all residents of Behrwal Kalan, allegedly arrived at the family’s house, poured petrol on the property and set it on fire.
The complainant said the blaze completely destroyed the family’s household belongings, including four charpoys (traditional beds), a sofa set, three fans, approximately ten maunds of wheat, an LCD television, cash, children’s school bags and other household items.
The family estimates that the fire caused losses amounting to several hundred thousand Pakistani rupees, leaving them without essential household possessions.
According to the complaint, two local residents allegedly witnessed the suspects leaving the scene shortly after the fire was started.
Arshad Masih said he immediately contacted the police emergency helpline (15), after which officers arrived at the scene, inspected the property and confirmed the incident.
Police subsequently registered a case under Sections 436 (Mischief by Fire or Explosive Substance with Intent to Destroy a House) and 379 (Theft) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The investigation has been assigned to Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Azam, who is examining the circumstances surrounding both the alleged church battery theft and the subsequent fire.
At the time of publication, none of the accused had publicly responded to the allegations, and no arrests had been officially announced.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Pakistan’s Christian minority, particularly in rural areas where disputes can quickly escalate into violence. Human rights advocates have called for a thorough, impartial investigation to ensure those responsible, if the allegations are substantiated, are brought to justice.
Police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered.
