March 10, 2025
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
Police in the area of Chak 166 Murad, District Bahawalnagar, under pressure of a mob, demolished the minarets of an Ahmadiyya place of worship using heavy machinery.
The incident is the third such in a week, with the a fresh hate campaign against the Ahmadiyya community happening since January. Some individuals have taken to social media to speak about the issue and condemn it. In a move by some civil society representatives, Saad Rizvi’s X account was reported leading to it being suspended.
According to details, for some time now, elements of the extremist and conspicuously anti-Ahmadi religio-political party Tehreek-e-Labbak Pakistan (TLP) have been harassing the Ahmadi community. Ahmadi representatives told Voicepk that this is usual for Ramzan, Eid-ul-Azha, and Muharram, when hate campaigns are launched against their community.
On Saturday, March 8, two groups of opponents clashed with each other over a trivial matter. During their verbal altercation and abuse, a person named Amjad fell ill and was being taken to the hospital when he died on the way. At the time of this incident, no one from the Ahmadi community was present in the vicinity. However, TLP started a protest in Dahranwala, accusing that Amjad’s death was in the hands of Ahmadis. As the situation worsened videos of the mob circulated on social media, provoking more like-minded groups to allege that he was killed by Ahmadis, and then, using this as a justification, it was demanded that the Ahmadiyya Bait-ul-Zikr in Chak No. 166 should be demolished and a murder case be registered against the Ahmadis. The mob also burned tires, while shouting slogans.
The police, accepting these baseless accusations and demands made by the mob, registered a case under Sections 302 (murder), 109 (act of abetment), 148 (armed with deadly weapon), and 149 (unlawful assembly) against two Ahmadis and seven other local people. Later, when it became dark, the police came and demolished the minarets of the Ahmadiyya place of worship using heavy machinery. During this operation, the Ahmadiyya community members say, that their homes were broken into, entered and looted.
The spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, Amir Mehmood, strongly condemned the baseless demands of the mob, the demolition of the minarets of the Ahmadiyya place of worship, and the registration of a case against the two Ahmadis. He said that it was regrettable that the minarets of the Ahmadiyya place of worship were demolished merely to please a group.
“Miscreants using Islam as a base, are constantly intensifying their hate campaign against Ahmadis, while the administration seems unable to provide protection to the Ahmadis community,” he said. The spokesperson demanded that an impartial inquiry be conducted into this incident and strict action be taken against whoever is involved in this matter according to the law.
Spain arrests violent group linked to TLP
The incidents show that there has been a worrying increase in the violence being perpetrated by the TLP against the Ahmadiyya community. On March 3, police in Barcelona, Spain arrested 10 Pakistani-Muslims for using encrypted channels to encourage people to behead ‘blasphemers’. Another Pakistani Muslim was arrested in Italy.
The detainees were said to be inspired by the TLP. Investigations have revealed that the suspects were part of an organized criminal group that issued violent orders through messaging apps.
The joint operation was conducted by the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia Police), the Spanish National Police, and the Italian Police (Polizia di Stato). According to a statement issued by the Spanish police forces, the operation took place on the night of Monday, March 3.
The investigation followed the arrest of five individuals back in 2022 and 14 in 2023. Investigation into the recent 10 arrests reveal that the organization was affiliated with TLP which advocates for the implementation of Islamic law and is known for its brutal anti-blasphemy stance.
According to the police, the group was highly organized and structured, actively spreading violent messages against opponents through messaging apps. Some members had even begun identifying specific individuals in Europe as potential targets.
Furthermore, their posts also praised terrorists who had carried out attacks in Europe and Pakistan under accusations of blasphemy. The investigation revealed that one messaging group, led by one of the arrested women, was composed exclusively of women. The group’s purpose was not only to propagate extremist ideologies but also to identify potential targets for future actions. Investigative authorities have confirmed that the arrested individuals belong to a terrorist organization that receives financial support through donations from its own members.
Fawad Chaudhry – former minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, slammed the individuals arrested as he took to the social media platform X and wrote, “Biggest challenge for Pakistan is to take down these extremists, UK and Europe must stop funding to extremists from their countries to these extremist groups in Pakistan.”
On Thursday, March 6, the 10 arrested individuals were presented before Central Investigation Court No. 6, where they were charged with aiding, abetting, financing, and recruiting for terrorism, as well as with taking preliminary steps to identify potential targets.
Human rights
According to Nazir Ahmed, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan from Multan, intolerance and hatred against the Ahmadis has been rising steadily across the South Punjab region.
“There are huge billboards and wall chalking in places threatening Ahmadis and spreading hatred against them,” says Nazir Ahmed. “Whenever there is a jaloos or gathering of these radicals, there is open hate speech. But the police stares on, and does not stop them. There are never any arrests made. This only fans the flames of hatred even more.”
Ahmad gives the example of a murder that took place in Hasilpur (Bahalwapur) last year. An Ahmadi man – a leader of the community was killed as he went out for a walk early morning.
“There is a village here where the dominant population is that of Ahmadis,” informs Nazir Ahmad. “They have owned the land here since before Partition, and Muslims and Ahmadis have lived peacefully together for a long time…until the TLP arrived.”
Ahmed laments that the basic job of the state is not being carried out – that of providing safety and security to every citizen.
“We all remember how Rashed Rahman the prominent and respect human rights lawyer was martyred over him fighting a blasphemy case,” he says. “That day onwards, things have only gotten worse, not better.”