In a concerning development, the Lahore-based Sunni terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has issued a threat against Christians and churches in Pakistan. The group's announcement came as a response to the recent Quran burning incident in Sweden.

LeJ stated its intention to carry out attacks, including suicide bombings, targeting the Christian minority in Pakistan. Furthermore, it expressed its intention to collaborate with similar extremist organizations in the region to execute these acts of violence, citing the Quran incident in Sweden during Eid as the motivation for its actions.

The notorious terror organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) has earned a reputation for its ruthless campaign against Shia Muslims in Pakistan, dating back to the 1990s. The group has orchestrated violent attacks on mosques, Shia processions, and targeted killings of prominent Shia figures.

Its prominence surged once again after the United States launched its war on terror, with Pakistan as an ally, following the 9/11 attacks by al-Qaeda. Taking a stand against Pakistan's involvement in the war on terror, the LeJ aligned itself with other terrorist groups operating in the Af-Pak region, building an extensive network.

Apart from its violent history against Shia Muslims, the LeJ has also targeted Christians and Western diplomats in Pakistan, seemingly in response to the US and NATO invasion of Afghanistan. This recent threat to the Christian community adds to the long-standing discrimination they face in Pakistan.

Furthermore, during the Eid celebrations, the persecuted Ahmadi Muslim community experienced fear and harassment when local policemen raided their homes based on complaints from the radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The Ahmadis, considered non-Muslims in Pakistan, were subjected to police scrutiny and arrests for allegedly celebrating the festival.

Intolerance and religious extremism have been on the rise in Pakistan, with support from certain mainstream political parties. Spurious blasphemy allegations, such as Quran burning or insulting the Prophet, have led to violent attacks on religious minorities and foreigners. For instance, incidents include the lynching of a Chinese engineer working on a joint China-Pakistan project, which was rescued just in time by the army, and the death of a Sri Lankan factory manager, beaten and burnt to death by his own factory workers. These cases highlight the disturbing trend of intolerance and violence based on allegations of blasphemy in the country.

Image source: India Narrative