Dec 28, 2023
Staff Report
Lahore:
The persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan continues to persist with alarming incidents. In its monthly report, the Human Rights Section of Ahmadiyya Muslim Foreign Missions Office in the United Kingdom states that the demolition of minarets and the vandalism of a niche in an Ahmadiyya mosque in Kotli was the 35th such incident during the year.
In 2023, an Ahmadi man was murdered on religious grounds while a lawyer was critically injured in an attack on him. According to the report, 35 mosques and minarets of Ahmadiyya were destroyed by police or unknown attackers. It states that 21 Ahmadis were arrested during 2023 in different religion-based cases. 61 Ahmadis were booked under different cases in October alone.
In December 2022, a total of 108 Ahmadis were booked in religious cases, while three members of the community were murdered. 197 incidents of grave desecration were reported last year.
Since 2021, 57 cases have been registered against Ahmadis under the blasphemy laws while six Ahmadis have been murdered for faith.
“This stark injustice underscores the urgent need to safeguard religious freedoms in Pakistan,” the report added.
No representation in Government
As Pakistan nears elections, the persistent denial of voting rights to Ahmadis, remains a crucial issue. Ahmadis lack representation in the government. “Addressing this injustice is vital for fostering inclusivity and upholding democratic values,” the report said.
To take part in elections Ahmadis community is placed on separate electoral lists, they are given the choice either to self-identify as non-Muslim voters or to sign an oath that they are not Ahmadis.
“Neither option is acceptable to Ahmadis community. Resultantly, Ahmadis have no representation anywhere in Pakistan,” it went on to say.
Even in Rabwah, with 95% of Ahmadi residents, the local councils do not have a single Ahmadi representative. Practically, Ahmadis have no say in their local affairs. Therefore, essential civic services like water, streets, sewage, etc. are in a deplorable state in this town of 60,000 population.
Censorship
The report states that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 20 non-Pakistan based foreign websites affiliated with the community. The PTA has also issued notices to their operators with criminal prosecution for violating Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
According to the PTA, any website that portrays Ahmadis as Muslims will be blocked in Pakistan. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered that Ahmadi channels (MTA) should not be carried by any distribution service licensee.