Religious Tensions Rise in Punjab: Ahmadis Under Siege

An attack on Ahmadi houses in Punjab, Pakistan, followed the death of a man amid tensions with a radical Islamist party. Amnesty International has condemned the crackdown on Ahmadis and urged the Pakistani government to ensure their protection and uphold their religious freedom.

In a troubling escalation of religious tension in Punjab, Pakistan, homes of the Ahmadi community were attacked following the death of a man linked to rival group unrest. The incident, which occurred in Bahawalnagar, has sparked outcry and calls for justice from both local and international bodies.

The Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan (JAP) reported that no Ahmadi was involved in the death of Amjad Mahmood, yet the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) used it to incite violence against them. Streets in the Dahranwala area saw protests that ultimately led to the desecration of Ahmadi places of worship under police pressure.

Amnesty International has demanded the release of detained Ahmadis and called for Pakistan to uphold its constitutional and human rights obligations, highlighting ongoing unlawful arrests and church desecrations. The organization insists on a thorough investigation into these acts of persecution.