Christians across Pakistan are rejoicing after a court on 29th January acquitted 40 men jailed for alleged involvement in the lynching of two people in a district outside Lahore.

The 40 individuals, almost all of them Christians, shouted “Alleluia, Praise God” as the anti-terrorism court in Lahore ordered their release after nearly five years in custody.

More than 40 others, on bail after being accused of lesser offenses that took place at about the same time in Youhanabad district, were also acquitted.

They had all been arrested as police responded to riots in Youhanabad sparked by suicide bomb attacks on two churches one Sunday morning in March 2015, in which at least 15 people were killed and more than 70 were injured.

Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) just hours after the acquittal verdict, Fr Emmanuel ‘Mani’ Yousaf described how emotion swept through the court as the accused began to absorb the court’s decision, citing insufficient evidence to prove the men’s guilt.

Reporting that the accused were now back home with their families, Father Yousaf said: “What we have seen is wonderful news for Pakistan. “Throughout Pakistan, people had been praying, every day praying that the court would rule in their favour. It is a big day for us all.