Police in Sindh attempted to stop members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from holding a funeral prayer in Khuda Abad after local clerics objected, community representatives said.

KHUDA ABAD, Pakistan, 6 June — Police in southern Pakistan attempted to stop members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from holding a funeral prayer for a deceased community member after local clerics objected, community representatives said.

Shamsuddin Gargiz, a resident of Tando Bago in Khuda Abad, District Badin, died on 6 June. His body was later brought from Khuda Abad Hospital to the village.

Police arrived in the village on Saturday night and told local Ahmadis that clerics opposed to the community were pressing authorities to stop the funeral prayer from taking place, according to community representatives.

They said police also objected to mats laid out for people who had come to offer condolences and to plans for visitors to continue offering condolences over the following days.

Ahmadi youth in the village refused to comply and told police the demands had no legal basis and violated their constitutional rights. Police later left the village, and the funeral prayer was held.

The incident drew criticism on social media, where members of Sindh’s civil society condemned the police response and expressed support for the Ahmadi community.

Local clerics have continued to campaign against the community and are pressing authorities to register a criminal case against Ahmadis, community representatives said.

The village remained peaceful after the funeral prayer, although community members said they feared further pressure from clerics and police.

The incident followed a similar episode in Khuda Abad, where police removed tents set up for people offering condolences after the death of an Ahmadi. Community representatives said the tents were removed after local clerics objected.