A wave of targeted restrictions and violent acts plunged the Ahmadiyya community into fear on Eid on March 31, as they faced widespread protests, intimidation, and threats, particularly concentrated around their places of worship.
The incidents, which spanned both Punjab and Sindh provinces, have raised serious concerns about the escalating persecution of the marginalized religious group.
Ahmadis in Pakistan have been facing immense difficulties in even visiting their places of worship, especially on Friday, and during Ramzan this trend rose to extreme levels. On Eid day, in multiple locations, Ahmadis were forcibly prevented from collecting at their places of worship over the allegation that they were (illegally) offering prayers. In various areas of Punjab and Sindh, the police did not allow Ahmadis to collect at their ibadatgahs.
Punjab
In Lahore, the situation was particularly tense, with Ahmadis being stopped from congregating at five locations, including the central worship place of the Ahmadiyya community in Garhi Shahu. The disruption at Garhi Shahu, a significant religious site for the community, underscored the severity of the restrictions. In Lahore, Ahmadis were stopped from gathering for Eid prayers at five locations, including the central worship place of the Ahmadiyya community in Garhi Shahu.
Adding to the distress, extremist elements belonging to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) gathered outside Ahmadi places of worship, chanting hate slogans and inciting violence. Their presence created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, further preventing Ahmadis from exercising their religious freedom. Extremist from the TLP also gathered outside places of worship in Model Town and Allama Iqbal Town in Lahore.
The pattern of suppression was not limited to Lahore. Similar incidents were reported in Sheikhupura, specifically in Farooqabad, Kajhar, Kot Abdul Malik, and Bidadpur.
In Sahiwal, Ahmadis at 6/11-L also faced similar circumstances, while in Rawalpindi, the community was harassed in certain locations.
Sindh
Karachi, also witnessed four locations where Ahmadis were denied their right to worship.
In a continued drive against the community, authorities in Karachi sealed two more Ahmadiyya places of worship, intensifying a campaign of persecution against the already marginalized community. The first place of worship, located in Azizabad, was sealed within the jurisdiction of the Azizabad Police Station, while the second, in North Karachi, fell under the jurisdiction of the Sir Syed Police Station. Reports indicate that during these operations, authorities not only sealed the premises but the Ahmadiyya place of worship in Azizabad was also vandalized by the TLP and carried out hateful graffiti on its outer walls, further violating the sanctity of these places of worship.
This recent action brings the total number of Ahmadiyya places of worship sealed or closed down by the authorities to approximately 10.
This escalation follows a disturbing pattern of suppression, as just weeks earlier, authorities had similarly sealed Ahmadiyya places of worship in Baldia Town and Malir Colony in Karachi.
Detained on Eid
Adding to the community’s plight, some members of the Ahmadiyya community were taken into custody, although later released. However, such arrests contribute to the growing climate of fear, harassment, and intimidation.
The incidents are part of a broader trend of escalating violence and hate activities against the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. In recent months, there has been a troubling rise in such incidents, including the desecration of Ahmadi graves, targeted attacks on their places of worship, and open incitement of violence through public speeches and social media. Extremist groups continue to spread anti-Ahmadi propaganda, further fueling intolerance and discrimination. The lack of accountability for perpetrators has emboldened such acts, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for the community.
The statistics paint a grim picture:
In 2025, so far, extremists have desecrated approximately 169 Ahmadiyya graves and 8 places of worship. Adding to the community’s plight, 42 Ahmadis are currently behind bars in various jails of Pakistan for reasons of faith.
The registration of frivolous criminal cases and the denial of bail results in wrongful and prolonged detention, depriving individuals of their fundamental right to liberty and due process.
The original post can be read HERE.