A Christian family in Karachi has been spared the attack of a violent mob, thanks to intervention by local Muslims.

The family, based in Baldia Town, became the centre of furore after a local Muslim shop owner was sent an envelope, containing a desecrated page of the Quran, along with photos of a local Christian man, Azeem Javed, and members of his family.

The executive director of the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice, Naeem Yousaf Gill, told Vatican News that “a violent mob” quickly “besieged” his home.

The Commission said that the accusations against Azeem were “unfounded”, and may well have been a deliberate provocation against him.

However, Baldia’s local administration announced it would investigate the letter to trace the real culprits – at which point, local Muslim students, religious leaders and members of the community scaled down the mob.

The Catholic Commission were able to help intervene by contacting local authorities to alert them of the letter. They welcomed the “unexpected” support of local Muslims, saying: "Interreligious dialogue has great significance. It should be continued. It will break the barriers."