A police probe into allegations of blasphemy has been opened in Pakistan, after an elderly Christian man accused of burning the Qur'an was attacked by a large mob on Saturday.
Nazil Gill Masih was hospitalised after hundreds of men armed with bricks, stones and batons ambushed him in the central Punjab province.
The 73-year-old shoe factory owner was accused of blasphemy after signed fragments of the Qur'an were found on a water pump near his home in the Sargodha district.
John Newton, communications manager for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) told Premier Christian News that the streets were "swarming" with people "kicking and beating" Masih, despite any clear evidence of his alleged crime.
"There seems to be no indication that he put them there, no evidence that he set fire to them. Nobody saw him being involved with this in any way," he said.
Archbishop Joseph Arshad has reported that Christians in the local area fear for their lives, whilst others have since fled the region.
Local authorities have made a number of arrests following the attack and booked over 100 people.
Archbishop Joseph is calling for further action to be taken to ensure the safety of Christians in the area.
Speaking to Premier Christian News, Newton said Masih - who remains in hospital - could still face blasphemy charges.
"On Monday, a police probe into a possible blasphemy allegation against Masih was opened. So he still risks having to go through possibly even a trial for blasphemy because the singed pages of the Qur'an were found near to his house."
Newton encouraged Christians to pray for harmony and level heads between religious groups, raising concerns that such incidents can be used by extremists to "manipulate crowds" and "whip normal people up into a frenzy".
