Lahore, Sep. 15 The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has demanded the government to take preventive measures against the increasing number of violent attacks on religious minorities.

"The commission has been warning the government of growing intolerance of religious minorities' rights and pointing towards the increasing frequency of vigilante actions against them," The News quoted an HRCP statement, as saying.

The commission has expressed concern over attacks on non-Muslims over allegations of blasphemy and desecration of religious scriptures.

"It is unfortunate that our fears of recurrence of such violence again proved to be true in Sambarial last week," the statement read.

According to the report, the government response to the recent incidents of violence against minorities has been insufficient.

The government will have to do more than just announcing financial compensation and some attempts at encouraging reconciliation at the local level.

"The allegations of blasphemy or defiling of religious scriptures, irrespective of their veracity, do not warrant vigilante attacks. Nor do they absolve the government of its primary duty to protect all citizens. Effective prosecution would serve as a deterrent to future attacks, while a lack thereof would encourage impunity," it said. (ANI)