Pakistan arrests 22 Ahmadi Muslims for praying
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) warns of a scandalous and unacceptable violation of fundamental freedoms in Pakistan.
22 Ahmadi Muslims have been arrested and face criminal charges for the ‘crime’ of performing Friday prayers, a basic act of worship that has unleashed a wave of persecution and exposed Pakistan's blatant disregard for its international obligations. The 22's bail application was rejected by the Daska court in Punjab on 5 March.
The IHRC has obtained and translated the original complaint in Urdu, the language used by Ahmadis, which was filed with the Sialkot Police by Hamza Asif Butt under Article 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This shocking account reveals the deep intolerance that dominates the nation. Butt relates how he passed by a building, heard the sound of prayers and burst in to discover 26 ‘Qadianis’ - a derogatory insult for Ahmadi Muslims - participating in Islamic worship. It claims that this act is illegal, stating that it ‘preaches against Islam’, ‘deeply hurts Muslim sentiments’ and ‘causes unrest’. Its response? To call the police, which led to immediate arrests and the opening of a formal case against these peaceful worshippers.
Pakistan, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified in 2010, is legally and morally bound to protect freedom of religion or belief. Article 18 of the UDHR and the ICCPR clearly state:
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to manifest his religion or beliefs, individually and collectively, in public or in private, through teaching, practice, worship and observance.’
The IHRC is calling for immediate action. This shameful case must be dismissed, and the 22 wrongfully detained Ahmadis must be released without delay.
Furthermore, on 8 March 2025, the authorities of Chak No. 166 Murad in Bahawalnagar, Pakistan, demolished the minarets of an Ahmadi mosque and brought unfounded charges against members of the Community under pressure from the TLP mob. This incident represents another escalation in the persecution of the community during Ramadan. Amnesty International South Asia has highlighted the worsening circumstances for the community during the holy month, including numerous arrests for Friday prayers, through a statement on Twitter X and Instagram.
Pakistan is blatantly violating international standards on religious freedom. The IHRC urges governments, including the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, which have reaffirmed their support for religious freedom, to urgently intervene with the Pakistani authorities at this critical moment, when state-sanctioned religious persecution is reaching unprecedented levels.
