Catholic Church Lohianwala

Timely communication of Muslim Christian leaders proves to be very effective to prevent
incidents of religious extremism in a multicultural society and the past has witnessed that
the timely action of the district police also helps in solving cases of extremism.

A peaceful solution to the Christian dispute was attempted to be given a religious mishap. Under the supervision of Mr. Usman Munir Salfi a superintendent of police civil lines Gujranwala, a member of the district peace committee Shahzad Lawrence along with local Christian Muslim leaders successfully maintained a peaceful atmosphere between the communities.

Summary

In past, conflicts took place in the Gujranwala district. In fact-finding, it was found during fact-finding that many incidents were given a religious for personal interest, grudge, and revenge, causing loss of lives, property, and severe fear. To prevent such incidents, the best coordination and harmony between the members of the District Peace Committee was ensured and due to the excellent relationship with the Christian Muslim Ulama, many Christian Muslim problems were solved peacefully through mutual discussions. The credit goes to the district police, the administration, and the peaceful members of the peace committee, with effective coordination between them, the religious issues are resolved together with the common people, and the tension is ended.

Lohianwala, Gujranwala

The Christian community of Lohianwala has been established for many decades. There is an atmosphere of brotherly love and brotherhood. People are in harmony and share in each other’s pain. It is a mixed settlement and the area is located near the Pindi Bass Pass of Gujranwala. On Thursday, Tazeem and his family gathered at the local church to celebrate their father’s memorial service. A similar incident took place in Lohianwala on Thursday, February 23. The motive behind this case was a personal grudge which was tried to be misrepresented. Upon receiving the information, District Police Officer SP Civil Lines Usman Munir visited the spot and examined the evidence. Moreover, he talked to Shahzad Lawrence a member of the
District Peace Committee and the local community. According to Babar a local person, the memorial service of Reverend Christ’s father was going on in the church in front of his house. Catechist Babu George was preaching when people heard the sound of fighting outside the church and then the worship atmosphere was disturbed by the increasing noise and people closed the main doors of the church in panic. A Christian woman named Nazia told the fact-finding team.

Fact Finding

Muhammad Khula, the local chef, was cooking food adjacent to the church meanwhile, Tamour Masih alias Chand arrived. On seeing him, Aamir Nazir and others told him to leave the place. Cook also convinces Tamour to leave as there is a memorial service for Azeem’s father taking place at the church. When Tamour refused, they threw a shovel at him which hit his left arm.
Tamour described in his statement. Consequently, Tamour Masih went aggressively and returned shortly thereafter with his Muslim friends Muhammad, Nazir, and a few people and started fighting. This dispute disrupted worship, leaving those in attendance feeling fearful and prompting the men and women to close the door of the church Meanwhile, someone called the police helpline to say that some Muslims had attacked the church. On special directions, Mr. Usman Munir Saifi Superintendent of Police Civil Lines visited the area where Prof. Shahzad Lawrence briefed him about the incident.