Page last updated at 06:54 GMT, Monday, 3 August 2009 07:54 UK

Pakistan schools shut over unrest

Pakistani Christians in Lahore rally in response to the attacks
Christians in Lahore responded to the attacks by holding a rally

Schools run by Christian missions in Pakistan's Karachi city have closed for three days to mourn the killings of Christians in Punjab province.

Schools and colleges across Pakistan are closed for summer vacations, but vacations in Karachi ended on Monday.


Officials said the rumours which led to the unrest were false.


The attack followed allegations that members of the Christian community had desecrated a Koran, the Muslim holy book.

Peaceful protest

Southern Karachi city is home to some of the best known mission schools and colleges in the country.

They decided not to open for three days in protest over the Gojra killings when summer vacations ended on Monday.

The Associated Press news agency quoted Sadiq Daniel, Bishop of the Diocese of Karachi and Balochistan, as saying that the Christians wanted to register their anger and concern peacefully.

The government "must bring all perpetrators of the crime to justice," he said.


On Sunday, following protests by the Christian community, the police charged hundreds of people, including two top police officials, for perpetrating the attack.

A spokesman for Pakistan's president said a judicial panel would probe the incident.

Print Sponsor

Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

BBC navigation



Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific