December 6, 2024
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
An Ahmadi man, Tayyab Ahmad, was murdered on Friday in Dhamial Camp, Rawalpindi in a religiously motivated attack in Rawalpindi.
Forty year old Tayyab was at his brother’s place of business, when the incident occurred. The assailant, armed with an axe, approached the victim and his brother, Tahir Ahmad Qamar, at their shop. Just a few days ago, miscreants had attacked Tahir’s shop by throwing stones at it and had also issued threats. Tahir had been receiving so many threats that he had recently moved his family out of Rawalpindi for safety.
During the assault, the assailant reportedly kept shouting, “I have warned you Qadianis to leave this place.”
Just a few days ago, miscreants had attacked his brother’s shop by throwing stones at it and had issued constant threats. Tayyab’s brother had been receiving ongoing threats and had recently moved his family out of Rawalpindi for safety.
The attacker invoked prior warnings for “Qadianis” leave the area before launching the assault. Tayyab succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Tayyab Ahmad, had recently travelled from Rajanpur to visit Tahir, who had been managing the shop despite enduring death threats and hostility.
The perpetrator, believed to be in his early 30s, fled the scene while continuing to threaten the Ahmadi community. The murder, the fifth religiously motivated killing of an Ahmadi this year, highlights the severe risk faced by Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya Community due to rampant intolerance, hate speech, and inadequate government response to extremist violence.
Community Response
Amir Mehmood, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Community, expressed grief and outrage at the incident, linking the murder to unchecked hate speech and state inaction. Mehmood criticised the government for failing to hold individuals accountable for inciting hatred and violence, stating, “The identities of those promoting extremism are no secret. Legal action against them is essential to prevent further bloodshed.”
“The Ahmadiyya community continues to suffer at the hands of extremists, with no accountability for the culprits. These incidents tarnish the name of our beloved Pakistan. The government must take immediate action to end the hate speech and violence against the community,” the statement read.
Demands
The Ahmedi community has demanded that there be immediate investigation of the case.
They have made demands regarding the arrest and prosecution of the assailant under relevant criminal and anti-terrorism laws. They also demand accountability for the incitement and legal proceedings against individuals and organisations that promote religious hatred against the Ahmadiyya Community. The community has demanded protection, and proactive measures to ensure safety for vulnerable populations, particularly Ahmadis, in high-risk areas. The Ahmadi community has called out on lack of monitoring of hate speech, and of the lack of implementation of Pakistan’s laws to curb hate
speech and extremist gatherings that foster violence.
“This horrific killing exemplifies the ongoing systemic persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal and policy measures to prevent further violence, prosecute instigators of hate, and uphold the safety and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of their faith. Immediate and decisive government
action is critical to addressing this escalating crisis.