ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned on Wednesday the brutal murder of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan and termed it "an unacceptable crime".

"A responsible state cannot tolerate mob rule and public lynching with impunity," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz said.

"I have directed Punjab Chief Minister to show no mercy and law should take its course to punish those who are responsible for this act," the premier remarked.

The Prime Minister said Pakistani state has to act pro-actively to protect its minorities from violence and injustice and to promote inter faith harmony among various religions.

According to police, an enraged mob had beaten a Christian couple to death and burnt their bodies in the brick kiln where they worked for allegedly desecrating a copy of the Holy Quran.

The incident had taken place at the town of Kot Radha Kishan, some 60 kilometres southwest of Lahore, and was the latest example of mob violence against minorities accused of blasphemy. (Monitoring Desk)