Once again, Pakistan’s shameful persecution of the Ahmadiyya community has escalated as Eid ul Azha approaches. This time, it’s not just about the systemic hatred that has always existed; it’s the government’s apathy, an implicit sanctioning of this violence that continues unabated. The radical, far-right group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has taken the lead in pushing an anti-Ahmadi agenda, turning this festival season into a brutal reminder of the community’s suffering.
Every year, the persecution of Ahmadis intensifies during Eid. The TLP has escalated its campaign, inciting violence and harassment. Last year, during the same period, TLP members destroyed Ahmadi places of worship, slapped false charges on individuals, and defiled religious sites most horrendously. And on Eid day, they went a step further—registering cases against Ahmadis who were accused of “performing ritual sacrifice.” This gross abuse was not confined to one area but was rampant in Punjab, Karachi, and Kotli (AJK)—places where the Ahmadi community has long been targeted.
This year, as Eid approaches once again, the TLP’s tactics have grown even more sinister. Now, they are pressuring Ahmadis to sign illegal affidavits—a disgraceful attempt to silence their right to observe their religion freely. They are being forced to pledge they will not celebrate Eid, won’t offer prayers, and won’t partake in sacrifices. The method is clear: to erase the Ahmadiyya community’s existence from the public sphere.
But it’s not just about affidavits; it’s about a systemic campaign designed to strip the Ahmadiyya community of their rights and their dignity. This relentless persecution carried out under the guise of legal action, continues to escalate, as evidenced by the shocking murders of four Ahmadis in just the past three months—two of them lynched by mobs, one gunned down in cold blood, and another died while in police custody. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern—a deadly game of intolerance that has been ignored, if not endorsed, by Pakistan’s authorities.
As if this wasn’t enough, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) raised alarms recently, calling out the Punjab police for supporting anti-Ahmadi measures, including the criminalization of religious practices. The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) issued a letter urging the authorities to ensure that the Ahmadi community cannot practice their religious rituals during Eid. This is not a mere violation of rights—it’s an open declaration that the Ahmadi community’s right to worship, their right to exist, and their right to live as equals in Pakistan is under siege.
Let’s call this what it is—an institutionalized hate campaign, perpetuated by the state’s indifference, bolstered by extremist forces. The LHCBA’s actions, along with the directives issued by local authorities, set the stage for even more violence against this defenseless community. The situation in various districts across Pakistan is dire, with even small acts of worship or public presence being criminalized and monitored. In Kotli, Azad Kashmir, Ahmadis are now being prevented from even celebrating Eid in the privacy of their homes. Their every movement is being tracked, every act scrutinized—forced into the shadows, denied their basic human dignity.
Where is the Pakistani state in all of this? Why does it remain silent as these atrocities unfold year after year? Why is it that the perpetrators of these acts—who incite violence and feed on hatred—are allowed to thrive, while their victims are systematically erased? The TLP and other extremist groups are allowed to operate with impunity, stirring hate and violence, while the state turns a blind eye. This is no longer an issue of isolated attacks; this is a concerted effort to erase an entire community.
It’s time for the international community to recognize the horror of this situation. Pakistan, under the weight of its radicalization, has failed the Ahmadiyya community. The blood of the innocent stains the streets, and yet the state does nothing. No, not just nothing—Pakistan actively participates in this persecution by fostering an environment where hate and violence are given free rein. The world must stand up for the Ahmadiyya community, and Pakistan must be held accountable for its criminal neglect of human rights. This cannot and must not continue.