Pakistan mob sets fire to police station over alleged Holy Quran desecration 

Car on fire are pictured as demonstrators gather at a police station which was set on fire after thousands of people mobbed it demanding that officers hand over a man accused of burning the Holy Quran, in Charsadda, Pakistan, on November 29, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 29 November 2021
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Pakistan mob sets fire to police station over alleged Holy Quran desecration 

  • Crowd of up to 5,000 people surrounded police station in Charsadda town on Sunday night
  • On Monday morning, 2,000 people remained outside police station burning uniforms of officers

PESHAWAR: Thousands of people mobbed a Pakistani police station, setting fire to it and nearby checkposts after demanding that officers hand over a man accused of burning the Holy Quran, police said Monday.
The crowd of up to 5,000 people surrounded the police station in Charsadda town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday night, also setting fire to more than 30 cars.
On Monday morning, around 2,000 people remained outside the police station burning uniforms of officers.
"The mob stormed the police station asking to hand over the man to them so they could burn him alive like he burnt the Holy Quran," district police chief, Asif Bahadur told AFP.




Demonstrators gather at a police station which was set on fire after thousands of people mobbed it demanding that officers hand over a man accused of burning the Holy Quran, in Charsadda, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on November 29, 2021. (AFP)

The identity and religion of the accused has not been disclosed by police, Bahadur said.
"The motive behind burning the copy of the Holy Quran is still unknown but we are investigating."
Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven allegations can stir mobs and violence.
Rights groups say the legislation is often hijacked for personal vendettas, with minorities largely the target.
A Christian couple was lynched then burnt in a kiln in Punjab in 2014 after being falsely accused of desecrating the Holy Quran. A former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was gunned down by his bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri, in Islamabad in 2011 over his call for reforms of the blasphemy law.
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman and a labourer from central Punjab province, was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 and was on death row until her acquittal in 2018, which prompted days of violent demonstrations by hardliners. She and her family later fled the country for Canada.
The country has frequently been paralysed in recent years by anti-blasphemy protests waged by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party, often linked to the publishing of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) by a French satirical magazine. 


Pakistan beat UAE to secure semifinal berth in U-19 Asia Cup

Updated 16 December 2025
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Pakistan beat UAE to secure semifinal berth in U-19 Asia Cup

  • Pakistan scored a total of 241 runs, dismiss UAE for 171 in 37.5 overs
  • Final match of ACC Men’s U19 tournament will be played on Dec. 21

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team advanced to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Men’s semifinals on Tuesday after defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 70 runs in Dubai, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 241 for the loss of nine wickets after opting to bat first at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy Ground. 

Ahmed Hussain, in his 65-run knock, smashed four boundaries while Sameer Minhas scored 44. Wicketkeeper-batter Hamza made 42 runs to help Pakistan score 241-9 after 50 overs. 

“Today’s win secured Pakistan U19 a place in the semifinals of the tournament after winning two of their group matches,” the PCB said in a statement.

“They will face the top side of Group ‘B’ on Friday, 19 December.”

UAE’s Yug Sharma picked three wickets while Naseem Khan bagged two. UAE were dismissed by 171 in 37.5 overs despite a half-century by Ayaan Misbah, who scored 77 off 74 balls that included four boundaries.

Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Abdul Subhan, who was awarded the Player of the Match award, led the bowling attack and clinched four wickets for 31. 

Right-arm leg spinner Ahmed, Mohammad Sayyam and Momin Qamar picked a wicket each.

The tournament underway from Dec. 12 features eight teams competing in a 50‑over format across group and knockout stages.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi‑finals on Dec. 19.

The final will be played on Dec. 21.