On 16 August 2023, hundreds of violent demonstrators set fire to at least eight Christian churches and ransacked dozens of residences in the Jaranwala district of the eastern city of Faisalabad after two community members were accused of desecrating a Quran. There were no reports of injuries. Police officers arrested approximately 130 people. Thousands of additional security personnel have since been deployed throughout Jarawala district, and officials have imposed a Section 144 declaration – which mandates a temporary ban on gatherings, meetings rallies and sit-ins — until 23 August.