Six Ahmadis killed in 2016, says report

LAHORE: At least six Ahmadis were killed in Pakistan in 2016 because of their religious beliefs, claims a recent report issued by the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Saleemudin, the spokesperson for the group, cited Ordinance XX which later came to be known as the Blasphemy Law as the main reason behind targeted killings of Ahmadis. “Since its [Ordinance XX] imposition in 1984, so far 250 Ahmadis have been killed,” he complained.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya said the promulgation of the ordinance endorsed political, social and legal discrimination against Ahmadis. While news reports of the Ahmadi community being targeted appear regularly, the group accused the local media of holding its own biases against Ahmadis. It also accused state institutions of not properly investigating their killings.

Punjab Police DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said the force always tries to protect religious minorities. He admitted that incidents of violence motivated by religious hatred occur with some regularity, but added that the police responded quickly.

Former HRCP secretary-general IA Rehman said the report highlights the different kinds of discrimination Ahmadis face. He called on state institutions to resolve these issues.

Source: The Express Tribune