Muslim Radicals Torch Christian TV Station to the Ground Click to Tweet

Photo Credit: Kurachi TV

Very early Wednesday morning, a group of masked men set fire to the headquarters of Gawahi TV, a Christian television station in Karachi, Pakistan.

The building collapsed due to the fire. According to the staff of the television, the arson occurred at 2:30 AM, and the men were seen fleeing from the scene, after having set fire to the entire complex.

Some 12 million people regularly follow Gawahi TV, a broadcaster founded in February 2013 with the collaboration of both Catholics and Protestants, to “spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all religions living in Pakistan.” The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, airing Bible reflections, hymns, sermons and Christian youth evangelism.

According to reports, the television station’s tenure was marked by constant threats of violence from Muslim radicals yet, despite many requests for protection, the authorities failed to provide the necessary security.

“We have halted our mission for the time being but we will not let our hopes die down. We were doing our God’s work and will continue to do so with the divine help,” said Javed Williams, who heads the Gawahi Mission Trust, which operates the station, together with his brother Sarfraz.

Several local representatives of the Catholic Church visited the scene of the fire, expressing dismay at the attack. Father John Arif, of the Diocese of Karachi, said: “It was disheartening to see the entire building and all the equipment burned. The channel was activated to communicate the word of God. There have been threats and now the matter is under investigation. We hope to soon see the channel again. We pray for peace and tolerance.”

Source: Muslim Radicals Burn Christian TV Station to the Ground