The targeted killing of members of the Ahmadi community, a minority sect of Islam, is continuing in the Punjab province. In the latest incident, Mian Laiq Ahmad, 54, a well known Ahmadi trader in Faisalabad, an industrial area of Punjab province, was attacked on May 28, by three armed men whilst sitting in his car. The attackers blocked the road leading to his house at People’s colony, Faisalabad, and, after asking him as to his sect, one person opened fire, hitting him in the head. The two other assailants shot at his stomach and arms. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
In another case, Professor Mubashar Ahmad (46) of Chakwaal, Pakistan, was the victim of a most brutal and vicious attack. Professor Mubashar of the Government Degree College, Chakwaal, Punjab province, was attacked in his home by two students of a local Madrassa (Islamic Religious College). After forcing their way into the Professor’s house and assaulting him the students thereafter attempted to behead their victim with a knife. The Professor managed to fight them off and call for help but received severe injuries. He was rushed to hospital where, fortunately, he is now out of danger but remains in a serious condition. One of the assailants was caught by some neighbours of Professor Mubashar and is now in the custody of the Police. The other assailant was able to escape and has taken shelter in the nearby Madrassa.
Mian Laiq is the fifth member of the Ahmadi sect to be murdered in targeted killings in 2009 and the 101st to be killed in Pakistan since anti-Ahmadiyya laws were introduced by the Government of General Zia-ul-Haq in 1984. In a recent conference against the Ahmadi sect, held under auspices of the Punjab provincial government, the people in the audience were instructed that they have a duty to kill Ahmadis. As a result of this uneducated, yet indoctrinated people are lead to believe that shedding the blood of Ahmadis is something that will be greatly rewarded.
The Asian Human Rights Commission urges the government of Pakistan to take immediate action against those fundamentalist organizations and seminaries that are instigating hatred against this, or any other minority community and thereby urging attacks on them. The rights of every citizen of the country must be protected according to the Constitution of Pakistan. Furthermore, the government of President Zadari must take punitive action against the Punjab provincial government for allowing such hate speeches under the auspices of their offices.
