In the wake of the Jaranwala tragedy, Christians were united in grief, calling for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events and seek justice. This situation echoed the earlier tragedy of Shantinagar in February 1997, which marked a significant instance of extremism in Pakistan's history, where hundreds of Christian homes were set ablaze by extremists. In response to the outcry from the Christian community for justice, the government established a commission to investigate the Shantinagar incident and address the grievances stemming from the extremism faced by Christians, while also safeguarding their constitutional rights.
However, when the Miracle and Hope Foundation Pakistan sought to obtain the findings of the commission, they were unable to locate any report. The foundation’s representatives formally requested a copy of the report from the relevant department, only to be met with refusal. Undeterred, the foundation pursued the matter through a tribunal, exercising their constitutional right to access the necessary information.
In response, the government again declined to release any documents, citing concerns that disclosure could potentially harm national defense, public order, or international relations, as stated in a letter dated December 5, 2023 (No. E&A(HD)8-4/2013(P-11)). Despite this, the chairman of the tribunal dismissed the government's reasoning and directed them to provide a certified copy of the report to the foundation. Nonetheless, the government continued to refuse compliance, claiming that the record of the report was no longer available.
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