Suspicious Fire Destroys Pakistan Church Before Easter

A Presbyterian Church in Pakistan was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Saturday, March 30.  

The 3:00 a.m. blaze occurred in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi. 

Locals suspect arson because of a dispute between the church community and the owner of a neighboring plaza. The church had blocked a nearby road for security reasons on Easter weekend, causing tension. 

Elder Javed, the church caretaker, cited an earlier altercation with a resident over the road closure. Pastor Adeem Alfons confirmed tension between the church and the plaza owner and cited challenges with construction on the adjacent plaza. 

The displaced church community staged a protest demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for the damages

Authorities say they are investigating the incident and that an electrical short circuit may have caused the blaze, though no flammable materials were found at the scene.