Hundreds of Christians protest against violence in Pakistan

To register their protest against the recent brutality on its community, hundreds of Christians in Pakistan took to the streets demanding an end to violence, injustice and deprivation faced since its inception in the predominantly Muslim nation.

On Wednesday, protesters were seen chanting slogans and carrying banners that called for the protection of the minority community and the expedite arrest of the perpetrators of last week's violence.

Eight Christians were killed and dozens of homes were burned by a Muslim mob that attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Gojra city on Saturday. The attack that also included the gruesome 'burning alive' of five Christians was sparked over a rumored desecration of a Koran.

Organised by major Christian groups, the protests condemned the inadequate security of Christians and demanded the repealing of blasphemy laws wrongly used against the Christians.

The Pakistan Christian Labour Party (PLCP) Central Chairman, Pervez Sindhu, said Christians had shown unity with Muslims during the time of parition and it was injustice that Christians were burnt alive. He demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident.

The Pakistani Human Rights Commission maintains that the attack was premeditated and not a spontaneous one. The Commission also said members of the banned Sunni group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and its al-Qaida-linked offshoot Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were suspects in the attack.

President Asif Ali Zardari has announced a relief package of 500,000 rupees (US$6,250) for every family which has lost a member, and 300,000 rupees for those whose house was burned down.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Christians make up less than five percent of Pakistan's 175 million people. Even so, the church is strong.