Gujranwala; May 2024: In the Cantt Police Station jurisdiction, Gujranwala, there’s mounting pressure from the opponents that Ahmadis hold Friday prayer before 1 PM across four congregations (Rahwali, Targari, Gaju Chak, Talwandi). During a meeting at the Cantt Police Station on 16 May 2024, the SHO told Ahmadis to conclude Friday prayer by 1 PM. This directive stemmed from a demand of the TLP. The Ahmadis informed the SHO that they had sought permission from the CPO Gujranwala to observe Friday prayer at their designated time, citing verdicts of higher courts. The SHO conveniently and inappropriately dismissed these verdicts as outdated. The delegation mentioned a court verdict in which an objection was dismissed because the Ahmadiyya activity occurred within private premises. The SHO was not convinced but agreed to wait for a decision from the higher authorities. Consequently, on 17 May, Friday prayer in the aforementioned congregations were conducted under the imposed time restriction.
Similarly, on 20 May 2024, a representative from ASP Kamoki Circle notified the Ahmadiyya community that an application had been lodged against them, prompting the summoning of the community president to the police station. Accompanied by the community president, an Ahmadi delegation responded to the summons. The ASP stated that a complaint had been lodged by an individual named Jabbar from TLP Wahndo, alleging that the Ahmadiyya community was distributing free medicine alongwith preaching, displaying the Kalima in their prayer area, and conducting sacrifices on Eid. In response, the Ahmadi delegation clarified that while they do provide free medicines, it is devoid of any associated preaching. The Kalima displayed in their prayer area is not externally visible. They highlighted that in 2021, the police had raised the outer walls of their worship place and had removed the Kalima from their houses. Regarding Eid practices, the ASP indicated that they would monitor the situation as the Eid approached. To gather further information, an inspector from the Kamoki police station, accompanied by a member of the peace committee, visited Kot Mirza Jan. During the inspection of the prayer area, the inspector observed that the Kalima was covered with cloth, albeit partially. He documented this observation with photographs. Subsequently, the inspector proceeded to the homeopathic dispensary, where he inquired about the consultations and scrutinized result cards. The Ahmadiyya delegation added that their dispensary accommodated late-night visitors, a service not offered by other clinics in the vicinity.
