DESPITE A SUPREME COURT RULING AFFIRMING THEIR RIGHTS, THE AHMADI DELEGATION WAS ILLEGALLY HELD AND LATER JAILED FOR 30 DAYS
June 10, 2024: The Deputy Commissioner of Chakwal, Qurat-ul-Ain Malik, has issued orders to detain three Ahmadis under section 3(1) of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1961. The detained individuals include the District President of the Ahmadiyya Community Chakwal, Malik Naveed Ahmad, the District Vice President, Malik Riaz Ahmad, and another member, Malik Tahir Ahmad.
Incident Details:
On June 10, 2024, the three Ahmadis were summoned for a meeting with the DSP, SHO, and Assistant Commissioner of Choa Saidan Shah regarding the upcoming Eid al-Adha. The complainants, who are opponents of the Ahmadiyya Community, were also present at this meeting. The Ahmadiyya delegation was pressured not to perform the Qurbani (sacrificial ritual) and was harassed to submit a surety bond ensuring that neither they nor any other Ahmadi in the district would perform Qurbani.
The Ahmadiyya delegation firmly stated that no law prohibits Ahmadis from performing Qurbani. They also cited the recent Supreme Court of Pakistan judgment in the case of Tahir Naqash etc. vs The State etc., authored by Mr. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, which affirms that Ahmadis have the right to practice their faith within the confinement of four walls.
The state representatives ignored the Supreme Court judgment and persisted with their stance. Subsequently, the complainants were allowed to leave while the Ahmadiyya delegation members were illegally detained until the evening. Later, the three Ahmadis were officially detained under section 3(1) of the MPO, 1961, for a period of 30 days in Jhelum Jail.
Appeal:
This year, the harassment against Ahmadis is visibly higher than last year. In addition to being prohibited from performing Qurbani, Ahmadis are also being forced not to offer Eid prayers. We kindly request the authorities to take notice of this ongoing violation of the fundamental rights of Ahmadis under the Constitution of Pakistan. The international community, human rights organizations, and concerned individuals are urged to raise their voices against this injustice and demand the protection of the rights of Ahmadis in Pakistan.
