LAHORE: The Association of Lawyers of the Superior Court of Lahore (LHCBA) has asked the Punjab police chief to prevent the Ahmadiyya community from observing Islamic rituals on the occasion of Eidul Azha and takes measures against its members if they are violating the law.
A letter written by the LHCBA to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab states that Eidul Azha is a sacred Muslim festival and performing the associated rituals is specific to Muslims.
The letter signed by the president of LHCBA, Malik Asif Nissoana, Secretary Farrukh Ilyas Chema and his secretary of the Khatam-I-Nabuwat Committee, Tayyab Qureshi, also say that the followers of other religions and sects
However, he alleges that, despite being a non -Muslim minority, members of the Ahmadiyya community are illegally presented as Muslims and openly portray their “blasphemous beliefs such as Islam.”
The Government seeks sworn statements of members of the community, ensuring that they do not observe Muslim rituals
It establishes that on the occasion of Eidul Azha, the members of the Ahmadiyya community openly announce the organization of illegal meetings that resemble the Islamic prayers of EID and the sacrifice rituals.
“This is a clear violation of the Pakistan Constitution, the Pakistan Criminal Code and the verdicts of the Supreme Court,” adds the letter.
Bar leaders beg that the illegal actions of the minority community are hurting the feelings of Muslims, which represents a risk of public disorder.
They ask the PPE to order the chiefs of the District Police that prevent members of the Ahmadiyya community from using Islamic symbols during Eidul Azha, prevent them from violating the Constitution and the law, and undertake legal actions against them if they are involved in such practices.
Meanwhile, the members of the Ahmadiyya community have been ordered to present affidavits and compensation ties, stating that they would not observe Eidul Azha or their associated religious rituals.
According to an official of the Department of Origin of Punjab, the measure is based on a notification of 2023 aimed at guaranteeing strict compliance with sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Criminal Code (PPC), which restricts religious expressions by the Ahmadiyya community.
These laws prohibit that community members refer to themselves as Muslims or participate in Islamic practices.
The affidavits include clauses that require the signatories to pay fines in case of non -compliance, an action that human rights groups have condemned as discriminatory and an infraction for religious freedom.
Posted in Dawn, June 4, 2025
