Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti said following the incidents that the police and civilian administration did little to protect Christians.

Tension had been growing between the two communities since 75 houses of Christians were set ablaze in a nearby village two days earlier on the same blasphemy charges.

Kioba called Saturday's incidents 'carnage' and said Zardari should prosecute those responsible and 'ensure the safety and security' of minorities in the country.

Christians constitute between two and three percent of Pakistan's 160 million citizens.