Islamabad, Aug 6 (DPA) Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday vowed to bring those responsible for last week's deadly violence against Christians in Punjab province to justice.

A Muslim mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood in the town of Gojra Saturday after maliciously accusing members of the minority community of desecrating the Koran.

The rioters damaged a church and burned down at least 40 houses, killing eight people over the weekend.

'Christians are equal citizens of Pakistan and the state has the responsibility to protect them,' Gilani said during a visit to Gojra Thursday.

The Punjab government has initiated a judicial inquiry into the violence, which was believed to have been triggered by banned Islamist militant groups with links to Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters, according to a provincial minister.