Ahmadis murdered for their faith in Pakistan during 2009 - A Report

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International, UK

Ahmadis murdered for their faith in Pakistan during 2009
- A Report

The persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan continued to escalate during 2009. During the year 11 Ahmadis were murdered simply because they were members of the Jamaat. This report highlights the brutal, barbaric and evil attacks that led to the death of those 11 people.

These 11 persons followed the example of countless Ahmadis before them in sacrificing their lives for the sake of their faith. Their deaths grieved not only their loved ones but all members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat worldwide. However Ahmadis will always show patience in the face of even the most difficult trials and remain consoled by the words of God Almighty :

“And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah that they are dead; nay, they are living, only you perceive not.” (Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 155)

AHMADIS MARTYRED IN 2009
NAME	DATE OF MURDER	LOCATION
Saeed Ahmad	19 January	Kotri, Sindh
Mubashar Ahmad	26 February	Karachi
Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa	14 March	Multan
Dr Noreen Bajwa	14 March	Multan
Mian Laiq Ahmad	29 May	Faisalabad
Khalid Rasheed	24 June	Quetta
Zafar Iqbal	24 June	Quetta
Rana Ata-ul-Karim	6 August	Multan
Muhammad Azam Farooqi	26 September	Uch Sharif
Zulfiqar Mansur	11 October (body found)	Quetta
Rana Saleem Ahmad	26 November	Sanghar, Sindh

BY LOCATION AHMADIS KILLED IN 2009
LOCATION	NUMBER KILLED IN 09
Multan	3
Quetta	3
Sindh	2
Karachi	1
Faisalabad	1
Uch Sharif	1

MARTYRDOM OF MR SAEED AHMAD

(95th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	MONDAY, 19 JANUARY 2009
LOCATION:	KOTRI, SINDH PROVINCE

BACKGROUND:

In the year prior to this killing Kotri had become a hotbed for anti-Ahmadiyya sectarianism. The police and local judiciary were always informed of any incidents but remained hostile in their attitudes towards the Jamaat and failed to provide any form of adequate protection.

FACTS:

On the evening of 19th January 2009, Mr Saeed Ahmad, 55, had just returned from work and was about to enter his home when a person waiting for him fired a shotgun directly at his head. Mr Ahmad died on the spot. The attacker fled the scene. An First Information Report (FIR) was recorded against unknown persons. No arrest was made.

Survived by his wife and four children, Mr Ahmad was a very pious man and had no personal issues or disputes with anyone.

The family had migrated from Sakrand to Kotri in 1990. Mr Ahmad was duly buried at the Ahmadiyya Graveyard in Kot Gondal, District Hyderabad.

MARTYRDOM OF MR MUBASHAR AHMAD

(96th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2009
LOCATION:	NEAR MANGHO PIR ROAD, KARACHI

BACKGROUND:

As in other parts of Pakistan the Jamaat had faced significant persecution in various parts of Karachi. Only months prior to this murder in 2008 both Mr Basharat Ahmad Mughal and Mr Sheikh Saeed Ahmad were killed in the city as violence against members of the Jamaat continued to increase

FACTS:

On 20th February 2009, Mr Mubashar Ahmad, 42, was returning home from work on his bicycle following completion of that day’s work at the Steel Rolling Mill, when two men appeared. They fired shots at him and then fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was grievously injured by the attack and was subsequently taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. His injuries were too severe for him to be saved. He was pronounced dead before his relatives could reach the hospital.

Mr Ahmad was an ordinary Ahmadi Muslim. He had not grievance with anyone and none had any personal grievance with him, except perhaps from those unknown to him due to his faith. This had caused him to be subjected to various forms of persecution over a long period of time due to his chosen faith, which ultimately resulted in his murder. For example, at his work place he had received threats to his life and been subjected to a social boycott.

Mr Ahmad is survived by his wife and three children.

MARTYRDOMS OF DR SHIRAZ AHMAD BAJWA & DR NOREEN BAJWA

(97th & 98th Ahmadis murdered for their faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	SATURDAY, 14 MARCH 2009
LOCATION:	WAPDA COLONY, MULTAN

BACKGROUND:

Prior to these killings it had been well known that sectarian and militant Muslim organisations had prepared a lengthy ‘hit-list’ of Ahmadiyya locations and leading personalities. This list was known to include, amongst others, well educated professionals who be2longed to the Jamaat. We have reason to believe that the names of Dr Shiraz Bajwa and Dr Noreen Bajwa were on such a list, probably due to the excellent services they were providing within their local community and consequently the respect that they were afforded by locals.

Multan also acts as the headquarters of an anti-Ahmadiyya organisation. The particular organisation makes no secret of its hatred of the Jamaat based purely on doctrinal differences. Due to the acts of the organisation the Jamaat has faced many incidents of persecution in the recent including a major effort of the local extremists to have the Jamaat’s prayer centre closed down.

FACTS:

The murders of the married couple Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa (37) and Dr Noreen Bajwa (29) on 14 March 2009 were particularly brutal and barbaric.

Both husband and wife had returned to their home at Wapda Colony at around 2.45pm. Their home was in a seemingly very well protected residential area. Approximately one hour after they returned home, their maid found their tortured corpses . She immediately informed security staff.

The body of Dr Shiraz Bajwa was found lying in the bedroom, hands tied behind his back, mouth gagged, blindfolded and with visible marks of strangulation.

The body of Dr Noreen Bajwa was found in the living room, hands tied behind her back, mouth gagged, blind folded and bleeding from the nose.

Nothing was stolen from their home. All cash, jewellery and other valuables remained untouched.

Dr Shiraz Bajwa was an eye-specialist who had worked at many hospitals including the Fazl-e-Umar Hospital in Rabwah. Dr Noreen Bajwa worked at a local children’s hospital. Both of them had excellent academic and professional backgrounds and were popular amongst their colleagues. Though they had received threats due their religion they had never reacted to the severe provocation.

MARTYRDOM OF MR MIAN LAIQ AHMAD

(99th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	FRIDAY, 29 May 2009 (Martyr attacked on 28 May 2009)
LOCATION:	PEOPLE’S COLONY, FAISALABAD

BACKGROUND:

In the weeks prior to this barbaric killing, throughout Pakistan and particularly within Punjab, anti-Ahmadiyya conferences were taking place on a regular basis. Although such conferences had taken place for many years, prior to this killing they had increased greatly both in number and also in terms of the hateful content of the rallies.

It is of serious significance that one day prior to the attack such a conference hosted by Khatme Nabuwwat took place and was addressed by a number of well known extreme clerics. A report of this conference was given in The Daily Amman newspaper on 28 May 2009.

Faisalabad is a hub for Wahabi activism and politically speaking the PML(N) has a strong base in the area. Authorities maintain a permissive attitude towards agitation and harassment of the Jamaat. In addition to a number of killings that have taken place in recent years, a more recent phenomenon that runs in parallel to the strategy of outright murder, has been the abduction of Ahmadis present in the city. ††

FACTS:

On 29 May 2009, Mr Mian Laiq Ahmad (54) died after being attacked the previous evening.

On 28 May 2009 Mr Ahmad was returning to his home in People’s Colony when he saw a parked Toyota Corolla blocking the road outside his home. As Mr Ahmad neared his home he slowed down and at that point unknown persons jumped out of the Toyota and ran towards his car. Mr Ahmad tried to reverse his car but as he did so he was shot in the head. At that point the attackers got closer to Mr Ahmad and fired at his stomach and arms. The assailants fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was immediately taken to the local hospital and thereafter transferred to the Allied Hospital. His injuries were too severe and at 11.30am on 29 May 2009 he was pronounced dead.

Mr Ahmad was survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

MARTYRDOMS OF MR KHALID RASHEED AND MR ZAFAR IQBAL

(100th & 101st Ahmadis murdered for their faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2009
LOCATION:	QUETTA

BACKGROUND:

Persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Quetta has a long and sad history. The first martyrdom of an Ahmadi in Pakistan occurred in the city when Major Mahmud Ahmad, an army doctor, was murdered for his faith in 1948. Since then, Ahmadis have long since been a targeted for persecution. The Jamaat as an organisation has not been immune; in 1986 violent riots erupted in opposition to the Jamaat resulting in the Ahmadiyya Mosque being sealed upon the demands of local clerics, preventing the practise by Ahmadis of their faith.

In this case, threats had been made via telephone to one of the deceased (Mr Zafar Iqbal) in the days prior to the killings. Mr Iqbal’s family has been no stranger to such persecution. Mr. Iqbal’s brother-in-law had also been killed because of his faith in Quetta four years previously.

FACTS:

On the evening of 24 June 2009 two Ahmadis, Mr Khalid Rasheed and Mr Zafar Iqbal were shot dead by unknown persons.

As per their routine, Mr Rasheed drove his colleague, Mr Iqbal, to his home. He stayed with him for about half an hour. As he was leaving suddenly unknown persons appeared and shot at both Ahmadis a number of times. They died instantaneously.

At the time of the attack, Mr Iqbal’s brother, Mubarak Ahmad, was also by his side. Two shots were also fired towards him but thankfully they missed.

Mr Khalid Rasheed was survived by his widow, who is a doctor, two infant daughters and one son.

Mr Zafar Iqbal was survived by his widow and three sons.

MARTYRDOM OF RANA ATA-UL-KARIM

(102nd Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	THURSDAY, 6 AUGUST 2009
LOCATION:	MULTAN

BACKGROUND:

Multan is the headquarters of an anti-Ahmadiyya extremist organisation. As reported previously in March 2009 a married Ahmadi couple were murdered for their faith.

In the days prior to this murder certain unknown persons were seen reconnoitring the residence of Mr Karim. Although Mr. Karim took a number of precautions, these ultimately proved to be futile against the determination of the assailants to murder him.

FACTS:

Mr Rana Ata-ul-Karim (36) was killed at his home on 6th August 2009 at around 10am.

On the morning of the incident Mr Karim left his property and whilst he was away three armed men entered his house. They locked his wife and children in one of the rooms and waited for the return of Mr Karim. His wife pleaded with the intruders to take whatever possessions they wanted and leave. That was not however their intention which was far more sinister.

As soon as Mr Karim returned to the house he was shot at three times. One bullet hit his neck damaging his windpipe, one hit his ear and the third hit his lower body damaging his kidneys. Mr Karim died instantaneously.

Mr Karim was a well known Ahmadi and very successful. He had a Master’s degree in agriculture and was in the business of production and distribution of poultry feeds and medicines.

Mr Karim was survived by his wife, one son (9) and two daughters (4 & 3).

MARTYRDOM OF MUHAMMAD AZAM FAROOQI

(103rd Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2009
LOCATION:	UCH SHARIF

BACKGROUND:

This murder was yet another provoked by the constant barrage of anti-Ahmadiyya hateful propaganda that permeates across all parts of Pakistan. Anti-Ahmadiyya conferences, anti-Ahmadiyya sermons and anti-Ahmadiyya literature regularly call for Ahmadis to be killed and Fatwas are granted stating that Ahmadis are ‘Wajibul Qatl’ that is that it is a religious duty to kill them. This is entirely untrue and a misrepresentation of Islam.

FACTS:

Mr Muhammad Azam Farooqi was murdered because of his faith on 26 September 2009 in the presence of his wife and daughter.

He was returning from a family wedding on his motorbike at 8.30pm when two unknown persons brandishing a firearm forced him to stop his vehicle. Because of the attack, Mr Farooqi, his wife and daughter, fell from the motorbike. As Mr Farooqi went to help his family the assailants stopped him and pointed a gun towards him. Mr Farooqi pleaded with them to take whatever they wanted and to leave him and his family alone. Ignoring the plea, one of the assailants shot him in the temple and he died on the spot in front of his wife and daughter. The assailants fled the scene without taking any possessions or money.

Mr Muhammad Azam Farooqi was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.

Following this murder the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad commented upon this incident and spoke about the ongoing threat to Ahmadis in Pakistan. He said:

“The opponents of our Jamaat can murder a few of our members; they can loot Ahmadis of their wealth; they can destroy our buildings; they can stop us constructing mosques. But they can never weaken our faith…

“The members of the Jamaat worldwide need to focus on prayer. Because the way the situation is developing it seems that Ahmadis, particularly in Pakistan, are going to face increased cruelty and hardship. The ignorant opponents do not realise that their deeds are not harming our community but in fact are harming the country and society at large.”

(Friday Sermon 2 October 2009)

MARTYRDOM OF ZULFIQAR MANSOOR

(104th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2009
LOCATION:	QUETTA

BACKGROUND:

This murder was preceded by the killings of two other relatives of Mr Mansur because of their faith. In April 2008 Mr Abbas Ahmad, the uncle of Mr Mansur, was killed in Quetta and then in June 2009 Mr Khalid Rasheed, another relative, was also killed in the city.

FACTS:

The body of Mr Zulfiqar Mansur (35) was found lying in the suburbs of the city on 11 October 2009. He had been shot three times, including in the eye.

Mr Mansur had been abducted one month previously when on 11 September 2009 he was abducted by armed persons as he left home in his car. The abductors then contacted Mr Mansur’s family and demanded 150million Pakistan Rupees. The abductors repeatedly referred to the ‘Qadianism’ of the family as a means of justifying their acts.

The original demand was totally beyond the capacity of the family, however negotiations continued during the following weeks and agreement was reached. The demands were met, however the abductors chose not to abide by the agreement and brutally killed Mr Mansur anyway.

Mr Mansur was survived by his elderly mother, his wife and two young sons.

MARTYRDOM OF RANA SALEEM AHMAD

(105th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:	THURSDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2009
LOCATION:	SANGHAR, SINDH

BACKGROUND:

Many Ahmadis have long been targeted in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. In September 2008 two prominent Ahmadis, Dr Abdul Mannan Siddiqi and Seth Muhammad Yusuf, were killed following the airing of the GEO Television programme ‘Aalim Online’ in which it was said that it was a religious duty to kill Ahmadis. Another Ahmadi, Saeed Ahmad was killed in Kotri in January 2009. This latest killing continues a trend of the murder of well known Ahmadis in the Sindh Province.

FACTS:

Rana Saleem Ahmad (51) was the Deputy Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Sanghar and on 26 November 2009 he was shot dead by unknown assailants in the evening just outside the local Ahmadiyya Mosque.

Mr Ahmad was locking the mosque after the sunset prayer when he was shot at from close range. The bullet hit him in the nose and came out of the back of his head. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where he was soon pronounced dead.

Rana Saleem Ahmad was the proprietor and manager of the New Light Academy reputed for offering an extremely high standard of education for young children. Approximately one thousands students are enrolled. The education of children was a great passion of the deceased who wanted to raise the literacy standard of children in Pakistan regardless of colour, class or religion.

Mr Ahmad had also served the Jamaat with distinction in numerous roles.

CONCLUSION

In 1947 the Founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared that the Pakistan he envisioned was one of tolerance; where peoples of different faiths and beliefs sat side by side in peace and harmony. A Pakistan where there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion.

Twenty seven years later, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who professed himself to be a secular liberal, regrettably violated the vision of Qaid-e-Azam when he allowed for the Constitution of Pakistan to be amended so that Ahmadi Muslims were declared non-Muslim for the purposes of the law and constitution.

A further ten years later General Zia, who had assumed power after overthrowing and hanging Bhutto some years earlier, promulgated the anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX in order to win favour with the mullahs and their followers. This was a further and even deeper wound to the memory of Qaid-e-Azam as it basically curtailed all rights of Ahmadis to practise freely their religion.

The Government of Pakistan therefore bears a great deal of responsibility for the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat because these two acts effectively legitimised discrimination and prejudice against a minority sect. The legitimacy afforded has been pounced upon by the many extremist clerics that permeate all parts of the country. Rallies continually take place throughout Pakistan where the masses, much of whom are uneducated, are told that Ahmadis are legitimate targets and ‘Wajibul Qatl’ which means that Muslims are under a religious duty to kill and eliminate them.

This report has highlighted the cases of eleven innocent persons who were killed not because they had done anything wrong but because they belonged to a religious organisation whose motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. They belonged to an organisation that has always taught that Islam is a religion of peace and that Islam is the ultimate defender of all faiths.

The International Community and Media is urged to take action to safeguard members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan. The year 2010 was not a week old when another member, Retired Professor Muhammad Yusuf (70) was killed in Lahore whilst tending the shop owned by his son. Such horrific incidents are increasing in number and occurring in parts of Pakistan that were previously relatively safe. It is of absolute urgency that the International Community and Media condemns the treatment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan and demands its Government to repeal all anti-Ahmadiyya legislation.

Martyrs of Islam Ahmadiyyat of Quetta Pakistan

Martyrs of Islam Ahmadiyyat of Quetta Pakistan

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - October, 2009

An Ahmadi murdered in Balochistan

Quetta; October 11, 2009: Mr. Zulfiquar Mansur’s body was found outside the suburbs of the city on October 11. He had been shot three times, including in the eye. He had been abducted a month earlier. He was 35 years old.

He left his home in his car on September 11, 2009 when armed persons abducted him. These criminals used the same car they had used earlier to abduct another Ahmadi. They contacted the family subsequently and demanded 150 million rupees. They mentioned the ‘Qadianism’ of the victim often in their talk. Their original demand was, of course, beyond the capacity of the family. Intermittent negotiations went on in the following weeks. Eventually, mutually agreed demands were met. However, the abductors still killed Mr. Mansur.

More than a year ago, they murdered Mr. Mansur’s uncle, Mr. Abbas Ahmad in Quetta in April 2008. This year in June, Mr. Khalid Rashid, another relative of Mr. Mansur was murdered in the same city. Quetta has quite a history of anti-Ahmadi violence. As early as 1948, Major Mahmud Ahmad, an army doctor, was the first Ahmadi to be murdered for his faith in Pakistan. The authorities did not charge anyone for the act and took almost no action against the mullas who had openly incited the mob to undertake the criminal assault. This attitude has prevailed ever since. Ahmadiyya mosque in Quetta was sealed by authorities in 1986 on demand of Muslim clerics. The district authorities of Balochistan expelled Ahmadis from their homes in subsequent years. The same religious elements, with which the authorities cooperated to suppress Ahmadis, have now turned against the state; they assassinated a provincial minister last week. The state, however, continues to nourish its links with Ulama Karam.

Mr. Mansur is survived by his old mother, a widow and two sons of school-going age.

Ahmadi prayer-leader booked

Rabwah; October 23, 2009: In an act of blatant discrimination, the police booked Mr. M. A. Naeem for violation of the Amplifier Act 3. Mr. Naeem had recited the Friday sermon that lasted only 10 minutes. The police, that was accompanied by a local mulla, Ghulam Mustafa, found nothing objectionable in the sermon, but held that the accused’s voice was audible loudly in the street.

The FIR mentions that the police entered the Ahmadiyya place of worship; the accused stopped the sermon and joined the worshippers so he could not be apprehended, and the police took in possession the amplifying equipment. All this is fabrication. In fact, the police did not enter the mosque; Mr. Naeem continued the sermon from the Mimber; and the police did not take the equipment in its charge either.

Although it is possible that the sermon was audible in the adjacent street of the mosque, the police are well aware that Non-Ahmadi clerics use their mosque amplifiers that carry their voices kilometers away. The fact that the police were accompanied by a rabid cleric is ample proof that the police acted on behalf of the mulla. Obviously, the Rabwah police have no instructions yet from their superiors to shun the mulla — on the contrary, perhaps the opposite is still the order of the day.

The police violate constitutional provisions on religious freedom

Kot Muhammad Yar, Chiniot: In serious violation of his charter of duties the SHO Police Station Chiniot City, Sheikh Tahir, ordered Ahmadis of Kot Muhammad Yar to stop the Friday worship. In fact his duty is to facilitate worship, not to obstruct it in league with mullas.

The SHO sent for the Ahmadi seniors of the village and told them to give a written undertaking on a Stamp Paper that they will no more offer their Friday congregational prayers. He threatened them with a fine of Rs. 500,000 and registration of criminal cases. Ahmadis told him that they will not forego their right to worship and will convey him their intentions by November 3.

Ahmadi leaders have advised the local community to ask the SHO to give his orders in writing.

This village is also inhabited by a Pakhtun community who has a Taliban mentality. Their children have been throwing stones at Ahmadis’ homes. Perhaps the conspiracy is to create a law and order situation, and register unwarranted criminal cases against Ahmadis in collusion with the police.

It is relevant to mention that Chiniot is now a district headquarters town. It is located only 5 miles east of Rabwah.

Another outrage by the police

Tatle Aali, district Gujranwala: Tatle Aali is inhabited by a small Ahmadiyya community of a dozen households. The Khatme Nabuwwat organization’s agitators have raised the level of communal agitation in the village, and have co-opted the police to make life difficult for the Ahmadis.

The police SHO sent for the two parties, and readily accepted the untenable logic of non-Ahmadis that as Ahmadis offer their prayers the same way as they, they should be barred from offering congregational prayers. The SHO told the Ahmadi delegation that if they did not agree with that, they should get a verdict from the court; till then no congregational prayers would be allowed to Ahmadis. While Pakistan is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it allows its police to act in clear violation of its provisions.

As a result, there was police presence in the village the next Friday, and they ensured that Ahmadis did not congregate for their Friday prayers.

The question is: is the District Police Officer not aware what his SHOs are doing? Should they not receive some training in upholding human rights and freedom of religion and belief, to which Pakistan is committed through international covenants?

A Khatme Nabuwwat Conference in Rabwah

Rabwah; 15 and 16 October 2009: Mullas of the Khatme Nabuwwat faction were allowed and facilitated again by authorities to hold still another major conference in Rabwah, the Ahmadiyya headquarters town where non-Ahmadi population is less than five percent. Numerous such conferences are permitted here every year. This is particularly noteworthy in view of the fact that Ahmadis are not allowed to hold their traditional annual conference in their own town. This is discrimination practiced unabashedly.

These Khatme Nabuwwat conferences have become quite a show-piece, and they reflect the decadent state of the Pakistani society in religious, social, governmental and political spheres. Here the mulla and, indirectly, the state show their true colours in violating all decency and universally accepted norms. Human rights, freedom of religion and belief, religious tolerance etc are trampled upon openly and vigorously. Politics is practiced in the name of religion, the state looks the other way; in fact it participates to show its solidarity with the mulla. This year Maulvi Ataur Rahman MNA, the Federal Minister of Tourism, the Federal Minister of Tourism came all the way from Islamabad to join and speak at the conference. The following report, compiled mostly from the vernacular press reports from the dailies Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Ausaf and Jinnah of 16 and 17 October, 2009, Lahore clearly supports the observation made above.

In this report we shall not report the profuse insults, diatribes and abuses hurled at the Ahmadiyya Community and its respected religious leaders. The mulla does that at every available opportunity, and the authorities do not hold him accountable under the law of the land, PPC 295-A. It is rather strange that these clerics who cry hoarse in defence of the blasphemy law, indulge in slander against others, with no qualms. In fact, in this particular conference, although held in the name of End of Prophethood, they placed the Blasphemy issue (Namus Rasalat and Tauheen Rasalat) on the agenda and made it the theme — obviously as a propaganda tool.

It is a norm at these conferences that the mulla on the stage, with microphone in front, blurts out whatever he wishes with no regard to morality and decency. For instance the following was conveyed at this occasion:

• No one can amend the Quranic and Divine decision to award sentence of death to blasphemers of the Prophet. (Note: The Quran makes no mention of this decision. Ed.)The Blasphemy laws are not a product of a passing need; these are permanent essentials; and they assure protection to minorities.
• Maulana Abdul Qayyum Haqqani stated that the eradication of the evil of apostasy is essential for the preservation of Islam.
• Maulana Abdul Wahab Jallandhry said that Jihad will continue against traitors to the cause of Khatme Nabuwwat.
• We shall wipe off from the face of earth those who wish to amend the Blasphemy law.
• Those who demand an end to the blasphemy laws are traitors to the national ideology, and are enemies of Pakistan.
• Qadianis occupying high posts are busy in disgusting conspiracies to deprive Pakistan of its nuclear capability.
• Foreign intelligence agencies are providing Qadianis with tens of million (karoron) of pounds and dollars to impose emergency in Pakistan and spread unrest in the country.
• Mufti Saeed Ahmad Jalalpuri said that Qadianis occupying key posts in the country are deliberately involved in robbing the state, thereby rendering the dear country bankrupt in the field of economy, religion and geography (sic).
• To anyone who commits blasphemy, we shall award the punishment ourselves without having to go to a court.
• Every household is now going to produce a Ghazi Ilm Din Shaheed.
  

One can draw one’s conclusions from the above exhortations made in public. The organizers and the speakers kept an eye on their national and international political agenda, and availed of the stage of ‘end of prophethood’ to say the following that had nothing to do with the theme of the conference:

• Why land is being sold out to Americans, in Islamabad?
• Kerry-Lugar Bill is a Qadiani conspiracy.
• Resolution: (This conference) demands of rulers that drone attacks be disallowed over tribal areas, and the Kerry-Lugar Bill be rejected.
• The conference expressed great concern and reservations over the extension of the US embassy, Kerry-Lugar Bill, presence of Black Water, drone attacks, (electric) load shedding and inflation.
  

Only a wily and foxy group of clerics can relate all the above to the theme of end of prophethood.

The mullas came up with a list of demands, as usual. This list is never ending; more than half a century ago they started with a list of 22 demands against Ahmadis; all these have been accepted by the state, however they keep on adding to this list with the passage of time. Hell is reputed to be a bottomless pit. Excerpts:

• Lessons and readings on the dogma of ‘end of prophethood’ should be added to school syllabi so that the young generation should be fully conscious of safeguarding the ‘end of prophethood’ and the ‘honour of prophethood’ (Namus Rasalat).
• The declarations (official permissions) of all Qadiani dailies and periodicals should be cancelled.
• Qadianis continue to visit the holy places in Saudi Arabia, posing as Muslims. This assembly demands of the government that in order to deny Qadianis’ access to the Holy Shrines, column of religion should be added to the computerized national identity cards. (Note: Pakistani passports already carry this entry; this demand is a guileful way to demand the same entry in I.D. Cards to facilitate discrimination within Pakistan. Ed.)
• All entry forms to educational institutions should bear, in addition to the column of religion, a statement on the importance and weightiness of the dogma of the ’end of prophethood’ and also a sworn certification (by the applicant) on the apostasy (kufr wa irtidad) of Mirza Qadiani.
• The Chief Justice should take suo moto notice of illegal activities of Qadianis all over the country. The government should not reopen the settled case of Arabic madrassahs (Madaras al Arabia); these madrassahs are the fortresses of Islam and cradles of peace.

Whither human rights and freedom of religion and belief! All the above was said and demanded in a conference attended by a federal minister.

Following is also relevant and of interest, from the conference:

• According to the daily Ausaf, volunteers in uniform had taken their positions in fortifications (morcha zan the).
• Security duties were performed by the students of Jamia Dar ul Quran and Jamia Obeidia, Faisalabad, and personnel trained by Maulana Muhammad Akram Toofani (of Sargodha).
• One of the speakers at the conference was mulla Alam Tariq, member of a banned organization and brother of the firebrand Mulla Azam Tariq (now dead).
• The vernacular press dutifully played its corrupt role. The daily Jang published (gratis) messages from various mullas on the occasion: Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Maulvi Abdur Razzaq Sikandar and Khawja Khan Muhammad. It also printed an article by Mufti Khalid Mahmud on October 15, 2009, which fanned the fire of communal hatred. The daily Nawa-i-Waqt fired the opening shot on October 14 by publishing an article by Jamal Nizami introducing the conference. Nizami wrote: (This) “Khatme Nabuwwat conference should be a war cry (tabl-e-jang) against the anti-Khatme Nabuwwat character of this government and against the tongues that oppose Khatme Nabuwwat.”
• The first session of the conference was presided over by a mulla called Akram Toofani. He was not named Toofani by his parents; he adopted this name himself; it means a ‘typhoon’. Consider.
• The attendance at the conference was 4000-5000.

Maulvi Ata-ur-Rahman the Federal Minister of Tourism attended the conference. The press reported his statement: Qadianis are using a number of political personalities as pawns to cover up their disbelief and apostasy (kufr o irtidad).

The Ahmadiyya community of Rabwah, in the light of the past experience, had to stay vigilant against any possible foray by these unwelcome guests. The mischief of the participating mullas, however, affected and motivated not only the participants but millions of readers of the vernacular press who published daily reports on the proceeding of the conference. The evil of their propaganda will have a bearing not only on Ahmadis, but also on the Pakistani public who are fed this fodder of obscurantism. The effect of this diet now manifests itself every day all over the country in the form of bomb blasts.

Murderers arrested, but!

Multan: It is learnt that the police have arrested three men who have admitted to the murders of Dr. Shiraz Bajwah, his wife Dr. Noreen and Rana Ataul Karim, Ahmadis. These murders were committed in March 2009 and August 2009 respectively. In Pakistan, an admission to the police can sometimes be disputable. The accused normally disown such admissions in the court.

Arrest of a murderer here is no guarantee that he will be punished for his crime. Often the police do a bad job in presenting adequate and credible evidence to the court. Also, it is not rare that for a crime committed under religious motivation, a judge may consider it rather pious to be lenient to the indicted criminal.

For example on October 7, 2005 a group of religious terrorists opened fire on Ahmadis in a mosque in Mong, District Mandi Bahauddin, where they were offering their morning prayers in congregation. The attack resulted in 8 Ahmadis dead and 20 injured. The police eventually arrested the culprits who had committed not only this crime but some others as well. The administration was confident of the guilt of the accused. However the trial judge of the anti-terrorism court acquitted them of the charge and set them free. In another incident two mullas murdered an Ahmadi in a Faisalabad bazaar in broad daylight on November 14, 2002. Subsequent to the arrest they proudly claimed that by dispatching the Ahmadi to hell they had performed only their religious duty. The trial judge, in his own wisdom, acquitted the accused who had held the victim firmly while the other stabbed him, and sentenced the one who wielded the knife to death. Later, on appeal, the High Court, in unprecedented way, reduced the death sentence of the murderer of the Ahmadi to 7 years’ imprisonment. The victim’s family, in protest, appealed to the Supreme Court who, in a summary way, dismissed the appeal and maintained the reduced sentence of the religiously-motivated convicted murderer.

Another Khatme Nabuwwat Conference with political agenda

Chichawatni: It is a matter of routine with mullas to fully avail of government’s deliberate negligence, and promote their political interests behind the curtain of End of Prophethood. They hold such conferences, and being very fond of publicity they get the proceedings published in the vernacular press. This way, they expose their mundane and unbecoming designs, but considering their eventual interests, they are not shy of such an exposure. The daily Aman, Faisalabad of October 29, 2009 reported on such a Khatme Nabuwwat conference in Chichawatni. We produce below the headlines and excerpts from the text:

Qadiani group is active in anti-Pakistan conspiracies — Maulana Alam Tariq The on-going operation in Waziristan is not anti-terrorist; it promotes further the American terrorism. The US is receding after its defeat in Afghanistan; now it is using Pakistan as cannon fodder. Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad Haqqani, Qari Ehsanullah Farooqi, Syed Suleman Gilanil, Maulana Kalimulla and other leaders address the Shuhada Khatme Nabuwwat Conference. Chichawatni (correspondent): Under the auspices of Tehrik Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat, in memory of the martyrs of Khatme Nabuwwat Sahiwal, Qari Bashir Ahmad Habib and Azhar Rafiq, the speakers at the ‘Khatme Nabuwwat Conference’ said that Qadiani group is playing its part in dangerous conspiracies against the beloved country (Watne Aziz)…. Abdul Latif Cheema said that events prove that the on-going operation in Waziristan is not against terror but it is being carried out to promote further the American terrorism. Under the cover of terrorists, it is innocent people, children and women who are being slaughtered. He said that now the US is withdrawing having lost the war in Afghanistan, it is using Pakistan as cannon fodder (eindhan). He further stated that Qadiani Mission in Israel lies in ambush against our nuclear assets. … Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq said that religious institutions and parties are the guardians of the country’s ideological and geographical frontiers; those who accuse them of extremism etc are loyal to and represent the world of infidels (Alam e kufr).… Speakers at this conference, held under the management of Maulana Abdus Sattar and Qari Manzur Ahmad Tahir of Jame Masjid Noor High Street Sahiwal, as also organized by Qari Saeed s/o the martyr, Qari Atiq-ur-Rahman and Qari Bashir Ahmad, included: Abdul Latif Khalid Cheema secretary general of Majlis Ahrar Islam Pakistan, Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq a distinguished cleric, Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad Haqqani the secretary general of JUI (Punjab), Qari Ehsanullah Farooqui of Karachi, Syed Suleman Gilani, Maulana Kalimulla Rashidi, Maulana Shahid Imran Aarifi, Maulana Manzur Ahmad Qasim and others.

From the press reports it appears that hardly anything was said in the conference on the subject of ‘end of prophethood’. The speeches were restricted to Waziristan, the US and terrorism.

Anti-Ahmadiyya activities at various locations

Anti-Ahmadiyya propaganda went on throughout the country during the month. Some incidents are reported below:

Dhani Deu, Chak 332/J.B; District Toba Tek Singh:

Some religious activists are trying to disturb the law and order situation by instigating people against the Ahmadiyya community in the area. It is learnt that the mulla incharge of the local madrassah, committee members of the local Ahl-e-Sunnah mosque and a few others belonging to Sipah-e-Sahaba (a banned organization) are behind these activities.

In the village, there is a private elementary school owned by an Ahmadi. His opponents have asked the students to procure them some Ahmadiyya pamphlets so they could use them to fabricate a complaint to the police for preaching. They have urged the parents of some students to make a statement that their children are preached Ahmadiyyat at the school. This situation has disturbed the school proprietor who is also the president of the local Ahmadiyya community. According to him the situation is getting serious by the day and might result in some unpleasant incident.

Bhaun, District Chakwal

Anti-Ahmadiyya activities are rampant in Bhaun too. Provocative pamphlets were distributed here openly after the Eid prayer on September 21, 2009. It contained baseless newspaper accusations that Qadianis are not loyal to the country; 600 Qadianis are being trained in the Israeli army; and Qadianis helped the Indian army in the war against Pakistan. The pamphlet urged total boycott of Ahmadi businesses in the town. It mentioned their names as well. It bore no address.

Ahmadiyya community has lived peacefully in the area for the past 50 years. The new situation has been brought to the notice of local authorities. Shah Maskeen, District Sheikhupura: The Ahmadiyya community here has faced a total boycott in the past which lasted more than two years, from September 1974 to December 1976. Now again the communal temperature is rising. Khatme Nabuwwat agitators have distributed leaflets and done wall-chalking against the community. The local Ahmadiyya community is concerned about its security, and has taken precautions to avoid any nasty incident.

Barali, District Kotli, Azad Kashmir

The situation has been tense here for Ahmadis for a long time. Non-Ahmadis held here nominally a Milad conference in the local mosque on September 10, 2009, but their anti-Ahmadiyya intentions were no secret. Authorities were informed accordingly, well before the date. The police arrived there at the start of the conference, and stayed till the end. Mullas used abusive language against the community and its holy founder. They told Ahmadis to live like a non-Muslim minority, not to pray and not build any mosques etc. They used abusive language in the presence of the police and administration. The conference disturbed social peace of the locality.

Khuda Abad, District Badin

In this area anti-Ahmadiyya activities have persisted, and small towns and villages have been affected. Khuda Abad is a small town in district Badin, Sindh. It is home to a madrassah. They held a conference there, in which people were instigated against the Ahmadiyya community. Pamphlets containing corrupted and out-of-context writings of the founder of the community were distributed in bulk. It was written on the pamphlets that one who photo-copies it and distributes it further will get great reward from God.

Update on Dr Muhammad Asghar's blasphemy case

Dr Asghar, an elderly Ahmadi, was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for release on bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress.

According to the latest information, his latest date for appearance before the Sessions Court was October 20, 2009; however no proceedings took place on that date. The fresh date given is November 7, 2009.

Dr Asghar has been in prison now for almost a year and half for a crime he would never even consider committing. No bail, either. A queer system of justice!

Roads of Rabwah - in ruin

The daily Express, Faisalabad of October 25, 2009 filed the following story:

Roads of Chenab Nagar are in ruins; cause frequent accidents. Not a penny was spent on the construction and repair of roads for the last 15 years. People demand immediate notice. Chenab Nagar (Express correspondent): Not a penny has been spent on the roads in Chenab Nagar during the last 15 years. As a result, all roads of the town are in ruins. The College Road, Aqsa Road, Rajeki Road, Ghordor Road, Basti Eesaiyan Road, Sahiwal Road and other roads have all become dilapidated. The main Aqsa Road of the town on which all governmental offices, banks and shopping centres are situated, likewise the College Road on which the boys’ college and high school are situated as also offices of eight major departments, are dotted with craters. Drivers trying to avoid them hit other vehicles. Several individuals have hurt themselves and lost their limbs in such accidents. Hundreds of complaints have proved futile. The Human Rights Committee and other social organizations of the town have demanded the district administration to take immediate notice.

Neglect at the PTCL office - Rabwah

The daily Din, Lahore reported the following concerning the quality of service in Rabwah of the denationalized telephone company PTCL:

Chenab Nagar: Negligence of PTCL; customers face difficulties; strong protest from the people There are 700 DSL connections in Chenab Nagar, but no operator is available to install and maintain them. Chenab Nagar (correspondent): Customers of the broadband face tremendous difficulties due to the PTCL’s departmental carelessness. According to the details 700 DSL connections have been provided in Chenab Nagar but no operator is available to install and maintain them. 300 devices for new connections have been distributed, but many of them have not been installed yet. The customers are tired of repeated visits to the PTCL office. They are given the phone number of the Director Broadband and are told that the task is beyond their local capacity. Hakeem Munawar Ahmad, a customer said that he has developed blood pressure due to his repeated visits to that office. Students are also affected badly due to PTCL’s inefficiency. There is none to attend to the malfunctioning old connections as well. Customers of PTCL have demanded that higher officials appoint a DSL operator immediately to resolve the people’s problems.

Ahmadis behind bars

1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in September 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the. His appeal is under process these days.
2. Three Ahmadis namely Mr. Basharat, Mr. Nasir Ahmad and Mr. Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death row at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. They are now in the seventh year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court — and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress.

From the Press

Bado Malhi: Qadiani arrested for preaching Mirzaiat in the open. His companion fled. Javed Ahmad and Hameed Tahir were converting the poor and destitute by offering them financial support. The Sunni and Shia Ulama requested police intervention. Police raids continue to arrest the other accused.

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 1, 2009

The United States will always seek to counter negative stereotypes of individuals based on their religion and will stand against discrimination and persecution.

Hillary Clinton quoted on subsbaptistpress.org; posted on October 29, 2009

Shariah penalty of death should be imposed to bury the mischief of Qadianism. — Maulvi Faqir Mohammad
Rabwah was named Chenab Nagar on my instigation, and the Muslim Colony was built up over 50 acres of (Rabwah) land.

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 26, 2009

Qadiani places of worship should be disfigured to look unlike a mosque. Shariah penalty for apostasy (death) should be imposed. — Tehrik Khatme Nabuwwat

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 28, 2009

The country is faced with the conspiracy to push it into blood and fire. — (Mulla) Qari Allah Yar Arshad

The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 6, 2009

Qadianis are busy in conspiracies. The sword of PPC 295-C should continue to hang over the minorities’ heads — Mutahiddah Tehrik Khatme Nabuwwat

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 6, 2009

Bloodshed in the tribal areas is a result of Qadianis’ intervention. — Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 17, 2009

Residents of Chenab Nagar in grave protest over non-availability of drinking water. The Public Health Engineering (Department) started laying water pipes three years ago, but residents remain deprived of water.

The daily Jang, Lahore; October 28, 2009

Street lights disappear. Chenab Nagar roads plunge in darkness. Only 6 bulbs glimmer on six main roads. Authorities urged to take immediate notice.

The daily Express, Faisalabad; October 7, 2009

Chenab Nagar: SDO WAPDA and staff indulge in robbing the people. Bill distributors deliver the bills one day before the last date. Fresh applicants for electric connection are required to bribe the staff.

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 29, 2009

Chiniot: Khatme Nabuwwat march, from Aziz Sharif valley to Chenab Nagar will be held on October 4. Thousands will participate in the Khatme Nabuwwat march with Khawaja Mahboob Ilahi in the lead.

The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 1, 2009

92 Killed in Peshawar market blast. Toll may rise as 217 injured.

The daily News, Lahore; October 29, 2009

October 09: 270 dead in 14 terrorist attacks. Explosions continue.

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 29, 2009

Suicide attack on D G Khan bus stand 9 months ago: J I leader, kin arrested

The daily News, Lahore; October 26, 2009

Students terrorized. All schools, colleges closed nationwide.

The Daily Times, Lahore; October 21, 2009

Lal Masjid (in Islamabad) is still training militants?

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 25, 2009

Peshawar bleeds after suicide attack; 52 dead

The daily News, Lahore; October 5, 2009

Fazl offers to mediate between govt and Taliban.

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 5, 2009

Madrassahs are the citadels of Islam; no power on earth can close them down. — Maulana Zahid-ur-Rashdi

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 27, 2009

Pro-Qadiani statements; protests all over the Punjab against Kerry-Luger Bill

…According to the details, the Jamaat Islami, Tehsil Muridke held a protest demonstration at the GT Road after the Friday prayers. The (JI) Amir of Muridke city, Syed Taed Manzoor said that the US is indulging in despicable attempts to subjugate Pakistan through drone attacks, introduction of agencies including the Black Water and the Kerry-Lugar Bill. …The Sunni Tehrik Hafizabad took out a rally from the Al Farooq Mosque (chanting) Khatme Nabuwwat Long Live and Death to Qadianis. They demonstrated in great strength. The participants raised slogans against Qadianis, Salman Taseer the Governor Punjab, Altaf Hussain the MQM leader, Aasma Jehangir and the government, and said that the Blasphemy law will be protected at all costs.

The daily Waqt, Lahore; October 3, 2009

Blasphemer sentenced to life and fined Rs. 100,000 in Bahawal Nagar. The accused Zaman was under prosecution for the past one year in the Sessions Court for false claim to prophecy.
…At this occasion (of announcement of the judgment) thousands including the Ulama participated (sic).

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; October 1, 2009

Madrassahs of all denominations will be granted the status of a Board. The students would be (thus) eligible to join the Army and the Police. — Rehman Malik (The Minister of Interior)

The daily Khabrain, Lahore; October 1, 2009

Bangla Desh: Hizb-ut-Tehrir, an Islamist organization banned.

The daily Pakistan, Lahore; October 24, 2009

Azad Kashmir (Sardar Yaqoob Khan) premier resigns.

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 15, 2009

(Note: Sardar Yaqoob took over only a year earlier; he soon facilitated a Khatme Nabuwwat conference and declared therein: “Those who seek to ouster me as the prime minister will be disappointed. Allah who installed me as prime minister might appoint me life-time prime minister in response”. Ed.)

Op-eds

Rulers the only minority

(Note: A loaded heading of an article regarding a political truth about Pakistan)

Article by Javed Naqvi in the daily Dawn;October 15, 2009

Bring back Jinnah’s Pakistan

Had a large part of the Middle Eastern region and parts of South Asia been able to heed Jinnah’s words that religion, caste and creed “has nothing to do with the business of the state” the world may well have been in better shape today. It is possible that the extremism that has galloped away in these areas would not have taken root had various states not been allowed to force upon the world their dangerously distorted version of a religion.

Ardeshir Cowasjee in the daily Dawn, November 1, 2009

A state or fiefdom?

Also reported from Lahore is the high-handedness of police in warning the Ahmadi shopkeepers of Green Town to remove religious verses exhibited in their shops within two days. The police were obviously trying to create an alibi of themselves if the fanatics of the locality were to vandalize the Ahmadi shops or cause bodily harm to the owners. The police were thus encouraging crime rather than preventing it.

Ironically, crimes against women and minorities are showing up at their worst in a province where the chief minister is reputed to be tough both on criminals and delinquent officials. The recent murders of Christians in Gojra, Sambrial and other places call Shahbaz Sharif’s stern reputation into question. Murders of Ahmadis and the targeting of their places of worship have also taken place in Punjab.

Kunwar Idrees in the daily Dawn of October 11, 2009

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - June, 2009

Two Ahmadis gunned down in Quetta

Quetta;June 24, 2009: Two Ahmadis, Mr. Khalid Rasheed and Mr.Zafar Iqbal were shot dead by unknown person on the night of June 24, 2009.

As he routinely did, Mr. Rasheed drove his colleague Mr. Iqbal to his home. He stayed with Mr. Iqbal for about half an hour. As he was leaving, the two men were fired at.

Mr. Rasheed leaves behind a widow who is a doctor, two young daughters and a son.

Mr. Zafar Iqbal is survived by his widow and three sons who are all students. At the time of the attack, Mr. Iqbal’s brother Mr. Mubarak Ahmad was also by his side. The assassin fired two shots at him also, but missed. Mr. Iqbal’s brother-in-law Mr. Waseem Ahmad was martyred in Quetta four years ago.

Mr. Zafar Iqbal was a practicing Ahmadi. He had recently received threatening phone calls.

Relief denied to the four Ahmadi children incarcerated for months on false accusation of blasphemy

Layyah: Four Ahmadi school children and an adult were arrested in January 2009 in District Layyah in a fabricated case of blasphemy. There is no evidence, and no witness to the involvement of the accused in the incident.

Extremist mullas made it an issue and threatened agitation. Self-seeking politicians decided to support them. The police found it convenient to arrest the accused despite the absence of any evidence against them. Well-known human rights NGOs moved fast, made on-the-spot inquiries, found no substance to the accusation against the five Ahmadis and published their findings in various reports.

The children have remained behind bars for months. Every time they have appeared before a court, the police have requested an extension in Judicial Remand which the courts have granted. The accused thought that this was perhaps to let the extremists cool down.

On June 12, 2009 Mr. Sadaqat Ullah Niazi, the Additional Session Judge Layyah, finally decided to refuse the accuseds’ plea for release on bail.

The FIR and the follow-up police investigation documents show that:

1. The FIR was registered on the basis of hearsay;
2. There are no witnesses, no proof that implicates the accused in this fabricated case;
3. The statements of available witnesses do not support a charge under the blasphemy clause;
4. The police report concluded: “The complainant party has failed to produce any substantial and weighty evidence in support of the FIR”;

so, why the indiction, and why the refusal of the bail?

Is it not incredible, that the state attorney, in these circumstances, recommended to the judge that the children’s plea for bail should be rejected? The state did not even have a case to ask for Judicial Remands during the past four months.

The children will continue to suffer in prison for a crime they did not commit. They are having to endure the hardships of a Pakistani prison in extreme hot weather, even though they have not been tried and found guilty. Obviously the state continues to sustain and nourish extremism, despite its own suffering and agony at the hand of extremists.

The children need help in this environment of suicidal dissolution of Pakistani polity.

Finally the childern were released on 13th July after High Court granted them bai on 7th July. Sadly the judge, however, did not drop the false charges.

Judicial black hole for Ahmadis of Nankana

Chak No. 4, Bhagwanpura, District Nankana: The current criminal case at Nankana against 6 Ahmadis is for blasphemy. It is has now been over a year, but the most recent development is rather dreadful in that those accused who were declared innocent by the police in their early inquiry, are now being hunted for arrest at the orders of the Supreme Court. This case is typical in some ways, so its essential details deserve mention.

In June last year, agitators of the Khatme Nabuwwat organization put up defamatory posters on a wall in Nankana Sadar. Someone tore one off, and the group rushed to the police to lodge a complaint against 16 Ahmadis for Blasphemy. Of these, 6 were named and 10 un-named in FIR 351/08. The police registered the case, raided Ahmadi homes and detained individuals. One of those arrested was an elderly gentleman, Dr Asghar Abdul Rahman. They held him as the prime suspect and interrogated him for days. Eventually, by 10th September 2008, the investigation was completed, and the police concluded that the doctor was not the one who tore the poster.

On September 11, Muhammad Malik, the complainant in the above case was on his way back from the mosque after the evening prayers (Isha) when two men on a motor-cycle overtook him, and shot him dead.

Mr. Boota, the father of Mr. Malik, in consultation with his advisors, approached the police and had an FIR registered in which he named two Ahmadis as the murderers and two of their non-Ahmadi friends as helpers in the attack. He mentioned in the complaint that Ahmadis had killed his son because he was the complainant in the Blasphemy case, and as such instrumental in the arrest of Dr Asghar. Mr. Tahir Nadeem, one of the Ahmadi accused is a son of Dr Asghar while Mr. Rashid the other accused is the doctor’s nephew. Rather than releasing Dr Asghar whom they had found innocent of the alleged blasphemy, they arrested his son and nephew also. They also arrested a third accused, while a fourth one went into hiding for fear of the police. But this was not the end of the matter, fortunately.

A few weeks later, police investigators located the actual killers and arrested one of them. He confessed the murder and informed the police of others who were involved. The police thereafter released all the Ahmadis who were detained as suspects. However, they retained Dr. Asghar in the blasphemy case, equally false, as a lower court denied bail to the innocent doctor.

Several attempts for the bail of Dr. Asghar were made in Sessions Court but they were of no avail. Eventually eight months after his arrest when the High Court was approached for relief, Justice Rana Zahid Mahmud rejected the justified plea for bail. He acted more like a mulla than a judge.

The old man then approached the Supreme Court for release on bail. What a system in which one is exposed to penalty of death for allegedly tearing a poster, and then having to approach the Supreme Court for release on bail! On April 2, 2009, a Supreme Court judge rejected his plea for bail and ordered that the case be decided within a month.

Now it is learnt that the police are trying to arrest the three Ahmadis who were earlier accused in the same case but had been found innocent. They are Mr. Rashid Hussain, Mr. Khalid Wasim and Mr. Muzaffar Ahmad. Their prospective arrest is at the orders of the Supreme Court. Mr. Asghar is now on trial in a Sessions Court at Lahore, also under the orders of the apex court.

Agreed, the apex court is very much a part of the Pakistani society — at the brink.

Four Ahmadis arrested under Ahmadi-specific law

Sillanwali, District Sargodha: A case under PPC 298-C was registered against 15 Ahmadis with FIR 96/09 on March 4, 2009 in Police Station Sillanwali.

Initially the police arrested three of the accused. They were subsequently released on bail. Five of the accused are on bail.

Now the police have arrested four others on June 18, 2009. They are Mr. Sarfraz Ahmad, Mr. Muhammad Akbar Joya, Mr. Mubashir Ahmad and Mr. Muhammad Sarfraz Ahmad.

They applied to the court for bail. The judge accepted their plea. They were released subsequently on completion of formalities.

Naming a large number of Ahmadis in fabricated criminal cases on religious grounds is a favorite practice with clerics. The police also comply for their own reasons, and book as many Ahmadis as possible in these cases that, in fact, are state-supported violations of human rights.

Attack on Ahmadiyya graveyard. Arson and violence undertaken by miscreants

Pir Mahal, District Toba Tek Singh: The following incident occurred on June 7, 2009.

Tehsil Municipal Administration Kamaliya had allocated a plot of land in 1988 as an Ahmadiyya graveyard. Ahmadis have buried their dead there ever since.

In order to ensure the security of the graveyard the local Ahmadiyya community decided to build a boundry wall around it. For selfish reasons, a neighbor Iftikhar Ali, proprietor of Madni Estate Agency did not like it. He is head of a Qabza group; 11 criminal cases of different nature are on record against him at the Police Station Sadar Pir Mahal.

On June 7, 2009, Iftikhar Ali, leading a gang of approximately 60 armed men attacked the graveyard and demolished the newly-built periphery wall. They set fire to a tractor-trolley and a generator at the site. They fired in the air and threw stones at Ahmadis present there. The demolished wall was approximately 400 feet in length. The damage done was approximately worth a million rupees. Iftikahr Ali wanted a 15-feet wide passage through the graveyard for personal reasons. As Ahmadis are not a position to give up this land, Ali has given the situation a religious twist to take what is not his. He has approached clerics and the local press for support. They are now making statements prejudicial to the Ahmadiyya community. False accusations have been hurled against Ahmadis.

It is worth noting that a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference was subsequently held at the residence of this charlatan, Iftikhar Ali on June 28. It was attended by mulla Ilyas Chinioti, a PML(N) MPA from distant Chiniot. According to a three-column report in the daily Ausaf on June 30, it was stated in the conference, inter alia:

1. Lovers of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) are ready to die for his honor.
2. Qadianis will have to recant and start living according to Islam.
3. Qadianis’ soul object is to accomplish the aims of the British through inculcating the love of the Mammon, extricating the love of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and emptying hearts of faith.
4. We will put a stop to the wretched Qadiani activities all over the world.

The Khatme Nabuwwat Movement, the PML(N)’s MPA, the daily Ausaf, Iftikhar Ali of the Pir Mahal Qabza group and the riot at the Ahmadiyya graveyard are all inextricably linked. They intend to precipitate a dangerous communal situation.

Higher authorities have been informed by Ahmadis of the explosive situation, but they are reluctant to act.

Denial of freedom of worship

Mian Chunnu, District Khanewal: The police intervened to blatantly deny freedom of worship to Ahmadis in Chak No. 128/15-L.

As mullas agitate over construction of Ahmadiyya mosques and are always supported by the authorities in their unworthy acts, Ahmadis tend to build their mosques sans minarets, or they assemble in halls and enclosed spaces for worship. Ahmadis of the above mentioned village accordingly decided to build a house for their religious teacher next to a hall where they could gather for religious get-togethers. In these villages, there is no legal requirement to have the construction plans approved by the authorities.

Local Ahmadis proceeded with the purchase of the construction material. In response to an unjustified complaint by a few religious bigots, the police SHO sent for the Ahmadis and accused them of building a Masjid (mosque). They showed him the construction plan and explained that they were not constructing a Masjid. The next day again they were told to report to the police station.

Eventually the SHO agreed to let the Ahmadis proceed with the construction work. In fact, no permission was needed, but the Pakistani police tend to use the law to suit their whims. But there was more to follow.

The next day a sub-inspector of police arrived early in the day and ordered that the construction work be stopped, and the management should report to the DSP. When they met him, the DSP told them that they may not undertake any construction without the permission of the authorities. He told them, in violation of the law, to stop the work. He was told that the plot of land belonged to an Ahmadi, the construction plan was not that of a mosque, so the objection was not valid. The DSP was harsh with them, accused them of lying — and sent them away.

The next day the DSP sent for them again and directed the SHO to obtain a written undertaking from Ahmadis that they will refrain from construction. Ahmadis told him that as they had stopped the work there was no need to give written statements. The DSP told them that they may not leave the place unless they make the required statement in writing.

Faced with this ugly situation, Ahmadis gave in writing that they would continue construction work only with the authorities’ permission.

What does a citizen do when those who are supposed to uphold the law, insist on violating it? Whither human rights and freedom of religion!

Stupefying fallout of favorable mention of Ahmadiyya leader on radio

Faisalabad: The following report published in the daily Ausaf on June 9, 2009 is an interesting piece that is reflective of the society and governance in Pakistan. It is reproduced below:

The compere of the Faisalabad Radio Station is fired for preaching Mirzaiat Aqsa Iqbal was dismissed after finding her guilty subsequent to inquiry Those who claim Prophecy after the Holy Prophet are Kafir and Dajjal – Director Rana Akram Chenab Nagar (Special correspondent): Subsequent to the publication of a story in the daily Ausaf, the respected Ulama (Ulama Karam) protested, and the uncouth compere Aqsa Iqbal was dismissed from Radio Corporation. Maulana Allah Yar Arshad, a leader of Khatme Nabuwwat movement met Rana Muhammad Akram, the Director, Noorullah Qadri and Shabbir Hussain of the Radio Station. There the Director informed him that senior officials had taken the most serious notice of Aqsa Iqbal’s action and having established her error, have fired her from her job. He said: “ No Qadiani is employed at the Faisalabad Radio Station. Our entire staff comprises true Muslims. One cannot imagine any kind of Prophethood after Hadrat Muhammad’s ‘end of prophethood’. Anyone who claims to be Prophet after him is Kafir (apostate), Dajjal (anti-Christ), and all his followers are outside the pale of Islam.” At this Maulana Allah Yar Arshad told him that he admired his commitment to faith and expected him to hold such black sheep accountable.

Rabwah in the crosshair of terrorists

Multan; June 19, 2009: The daily Aman, Faisalabad published the following story on June 19, 2009:

Plan thwarted to bomb Qadianis’ place of worship in Chiniot, accused held Hashim, one of the accused, has been arrested in Multan. He is allegedly a resident of Rahim Yar Khan. The attackers planned to hit the place of worship with a truck loaded with explosives. Security tightened for places of worship of the minority community. Multan/Islamabad (Bureau Report): National security agencies have arrested a man belonging to a banned organization, thus defusing a plan to destroy a place of worship of the minority community in Rabwah, in vicinity of Chiniot. According to security sources, a man named Hashim has been arrested in Multan. He is a resident of Rahim Yar Khan. The other suspect managed to escape. Law enforcement agencies are carrying out raids to arrest him. The sources have intimated that Hashim and his colleague had been carrying out reconnaissance of the minority’s place of worship for many days using a motor cycle for the purpose. According to their plan they were to ram the house of worship with a truck loaded with explosives to be obtained at Jhang. The sources told ‘On-line’ that the two young men belonged to a banned organization which is now divided in two groups. The mastermind of this organization is now in South Waziristan. The sources have conveyed that after aborting this plan the authorities have ordered stricter measures to further tighten the security of minorities’ places of worship, in particular churches, temples, gurudwaras.

Press reports on defiling of an Ahmadiyya graveyard — an interesting and portentous comparison

The story of demolition of the boundry wall of the Ahmadiyya graveyard in Pir Mahal has been mentioned earlier in this Report. The English as well as the vernacular press reported this story. A brief comparative study is worthwhile.

The daily Dawn, Lahore of June 9, 2009 filed the following story from its correspondent in Toba Tek Singh:

Sectarian strife hits the dead Toba Tek Singh, June 8: Pir Mahal has been simmering with sectarian clashes since Sunday night when some religious zealots demolished the wall of a graveyard of Jamaat Ahmadiyya sect. The police have not taken any action against the attackers. Labor Party Pakistan District Secretary Tariq Mahmud told a press conference here on Monday the attackers also set on fire a tractor trolley and damaged a generator and a water tank at the site. Mahmud says one acre was allotted to the sect for their graveyard in 1988 by the government and there were two graves at the site. According to him, some qabza groups wanted a 15-foot wide passage across the graveyard. When the graveyard management refused to meet their demand, they instigated ulema on sectarian grounds who led a crowd to attack the site. Jamaat Ahle-i-Sunnah leader Maulana Akbar Rizvi claimed that allotment of the land in the heart of the city to the sect was a conspiracy to create law and order and “religious youth” just became out of control and demolished the wall. He demanded the cancellation of the allotment, saying there was a fake grave in the graveyard. A police official confirmed the incident, saying any action on the part of police would fan the sectarian strife.

The daily Ausaf, Lahore of June 10, 2009 reported the same incident but in the following headlines and text:

Pir Mahal: Qadiani occupation of land in the garb of graveyard. Citizens in utmost protest, demolished the boundary wall. Qadianis built a boundary wall overnight around the 8 canal land opposite Jinnah Colony. They intend building a religious center under the cover of a graveyard. Qadianis are not allowed to build a place of worship nor can they indulge in religious activities. The land should be retrieved and those responsible should be punished. — Ulama (Excerpts): Pir Mahal (correspondent): Qadianis occupied land worth millions in front of a Muslim neighborhood, in the garb of a graveyard. Hundred of lovers of Khatme Nabuwwat raided the place and demolished the boundary wall. … A great Jalsa was held in protest in the Jame Masjid, Ghallah Mandi. … (The speakers said) Construction of a religious center, in the garb of graveyard, is a conspiracy to destroy the peace in Pir Mahal. … The 1973 constitution is explicit that Qadianis are non-Muslim, and they can neither build a place of worship nor indulge in religious activities close to a Muslim neighborhood (sic). …

The daily Jang of June 10, 2009 reported the same incident under the following headline: Protest in Pir Mahal against Qadianis’ occupation of state land

A reading of the above reports describes essentials of the incident. One can also gather the role played by and the style of the national vernacular press in general on controversial issues. A future historian will not fail to hold the Pakistani vernacular press appropriately responsible for the present day corruption and decay in Pakistani society.

It will also be noticed that while the authorities support the mulla whenever he agitates against the burial of an Ahmadi in a public graveyard, they also take no action when the mulla obstructs the management of a separate graveyard for Ahmadis. Does the government want Ahmadi dead to remain unburied? The government policy concerning Ahmadis and its inhuman implementation in the country is perhaps unmatched by any other state in recent times.

Religious extremism promoted through a training course

Chiniot: According to a press report in the daily Aman, Faisalabad of June 18, 2009, an anti-Ahmadi and anti-Christian course was held by the Majlis Ahrar Islam in Jamia Masjid Ahrar Chenab Nagar. While there is nothing wrong in teaching a religion, extremism is being promoted in this guise by the mulla. The following press report (based on the press release of the organizers of the course) openly and unabashedly concedes this (translated from Urdu):

Course on Qadianism and Christianity completed in Jamia Masjid Ahrar, Chenab Nagar Qadianiat is a cancer; it is the duty of all Muslims to exterminate it. Martyrdom of Maulana Sarfraz Naeemi is extremely painful. Ataul Mohaiman Chiniot (correspondent): The course on Qadianiat and Christianity held by the Majlis Ahrar Islam came to an end at the Jame Masjid Ahrar, Chenab Nagar. Students, lawyers and ulama participated in the course. Syed Ata-ul-Mohaiman, an Ahrar leader addressing the closing ceremony said, “Qadianiat is a cancer; it is the duty of all Muslims to exterminate it.” He expressed his sorrow over the ever increasing terrorist activities in the country. The hurt caused by the martyrdom of Maulana Sarfraz Naeemi is beyond description. The operation in Swat is the ultimate submission to American (designs). Terrorism and suicidal attacks are part of the anti-Muslim policy of global imperialism. Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad said, “ A Khatme Nabuwwat course for students and lawyers during the vacation period is indeed laudable. Such courses are needed to understand the enemy’s tactics in the ever-changing global scene and these should be held all over the country. Muslims should understand the nature of Prophethood and the End of Prophethood. This course is held every year so that the anti-Khatme Nabuwwat and the enemies of the Islamic faith may not be able to deceive the Muslims.

Sargodha - benevolent attitude of authorities towards extremism

Sargodha: District Sargodha receives a mention in these dispatches quite regularly. The police not only tolerates, but often supports religious bigots in their anti-Ahmadiyya drive, not realizing that the mulla may one day be beyond even their control.

For instance, a mulla Allah Wasaya visited Chak 38 South to preside over a Khatme Nabuwwat open-air meeting. An anti-Ahmadiyya poem was read out initially. Thereafter three mullas, Abdur Rahim, Muhammad Rizwan and then the chairman Allah Wasaya addressed the crowd. They used highly provocative and injurious language against Ahmadis. The audience were made to shout hateful slogans. Although the administration refused the use of loudspeakers in the Jalsa, mullas shouted themselves hoarse in promoting extremism and sectarianism. Three bus-loads of people were brought over from elsewhere. A few motor-cycle riders carried the banners of Khatme Nabuwwat.

The authorities permit all this despite all the bad news from the Kurram Agency.

A great speech by the US President

Mr. Barak Obama addressed the Muslim world from Cairo on June 4, 2006. It was a great speech. While the entire speech deserves to be placed on record, we have highlighted here only those excerpts that are directly relevant to the usual contents of these News Reports:

• The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
• Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries.
• The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim countries, the sooner we will all be safer.
• And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people.
• The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
• Freedom of religion is central to the ability of people to live together.
• We cannot disguise hostility toward any religion behind the pretense of liberalism.

Ahmadis behind bars

1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in June 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the sixth year of his imprisonment.
2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs, Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death cell at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. These innocent are now in the sixth year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar of Nankana was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court – and the Supreme Court.
4. Four school-going children and Mr. Mubashir Ahmad were charged in Layyah for blasphemy on 28th January, 2009 and put behind bars without any initial inquiry or witnesses. A session’s court has refused them release on bail. It has now been five month since these juveniles have been held in a Pakistani prison in unbearable conditions. (They were finally released on bail on 13th July after High Court granted them bail. They still have to face the false charges.)

From the press

Sectarian strife hits the (Ahmadi) dead

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 9, 2009

End of course on Qadianiat and Christianity in Jamia Masjid Ahrar, Chenab Nagar

Qadianiat is cancer; it is the duty of all Muslims to exterminate it. The Swat operation is the ultimate in submission to American designs. — Syed Ataul Mohaiman Bokhari.

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; June 18, 2009

Pakistan is a society of endless contradictions, says Jemima

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 8, 2009

(Indian) Deobandi ulema term all Taliban actions un-Islamic

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 20, 2009

1973 Constitution to be restored in its true spirit, reiterates Gilani

The daily News, Lahore; June 25, 2009

Supporters in Gulf finance militants: US

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 6, 2009

US amendment seeks reforms in Pakistan to curb extremism

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 11, 2009

America enemy of Muslims. JI

The daily Nation, Lahore; June 11, 2009

Burqa has no place in France, says Sarkozy

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 23, 2009

Qadianis should refrain from practicing Shaa‘ire Islam, as directed by the constitution and law. — Maulana Mahfooz Chishti

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; June 22, 2009

RAW and Qadianis are involved in the murder of Sarfraz Naeemi, the campaigner of unity of the Ummah - Ulamae Karam

The daily Khabrain, Lahore; June 16, 2009

The most dangerous among the anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan forces is the Qadiani gang. — Secretary Majlis Amal Khatme Nabuwwat

The daily Khabrain, Lahore; June 26, 2009

Qadianis in league with Israel are following a plan to destroy Pakistani nuclear facilities by fomenting unrest in Pakistan.

Qadianis intend to destroy Pakistan with help of Israel. — (Mulla Shadab Raza)

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; June 10, 2009

National security agencies have arrested an accused belonging to a banned organization thereby defusing a plan to destroy a place of worship of a minority community in Rabwah, in vicinity of Chiniot.

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; June 19, 2009

Chenab Nagar: Intensely hot weather. Citizens remain deprived of water

TMA Chiniot is restricted to operate only two turbines (for supply of water)
Two motors are incapable of supplying water to population spread up to five miles.

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; June 28, 2009

Jazia imposed on Sikhs in Khyber

The daily Dawn, Lahore; May 3, 2009

Battagran Hindus told to embrace Islam or pay tax. (Taliban)

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 9, 2009

‘Militants kill 18 injured colleagues’ ISPR

The daily Dawn, Lahore; July 1, 2009

Four dead, 60 injured in Nowshehra mosque attack. 108 kg explosive used; President, PM, NWFP CM condemn.

The daily News, Lahore; June 13, 2009

Suicide bomber kills anti-Taliban cleric Allama Naeemi

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 6, 2009

12 Children among 30 killed
Suicide bomber strikes at Friday prayers

The daily Dawn, Lahore; June 6, 2009

Evidence shows Da’wa has links with Qaeda - LHC told.

The daily Nation, Lahore; June 1, 2009

Nobody has the authority to forgive one accused of blasphemy. — Justice Wajih-ud-Din (Rtd)

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; June 5, 2009

Obama’s speech was a master piece of hypocrisy. — JI
Announcement to stop the Drone attack should have been made — PML(Q)
The US is conducting war against Islam — Munawwar Hussain

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; June 6, 2009

Call to boycott Qadianis products

The daily News, Lahore; June 13, 2009

11 Killed in Peshawar PC blast

The Daily Times, Lahore; June 10, 2009

From SHO to IG. The entire police department works only through lies — Lahore High Court

The daily Jang, Lahore; June 25, 2009

Major Afzal Ahmad has been laid to rest in Qatta-e-Shuhada, Chenab Nagar with complete military honors.
The terrorists attacked military convey to Bajaur Agency killing two military personnel, Major Afzal among them the other day. He was 32 years old and is survived by a son, daughter and widow.

The daily Nation, Lahore; June 21, 2009

Op-eds

South Punjab and terrorism

What has come to the fore, however, more clearly than before is the reality of the involvement in terrorism of militias based in South Punjab…. South Punjab stretches from Jhang to Bahawalpur, dotted with madrassahs that private citizens from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait fund generously, thinking they are spreading the message of Islam.

The Daily Times, Lahore; June 19, 2009

Death of Mufti Naeemi… and extremists

When Mufti Naeemi spoke against the Taliban he was careful not to dub them not Taliban but ‘agents of America’ and enemies of Islam. Yet he must have known that the power of the Taliban lay in South Punjab from where teenaged suicide bombers were taken by Baitullah Mehsud and trained by his infamous lieutenant Qari Hussain. The power of the Taliban lays not so much in the tribal area as in Punjab - and that includes elements close to the madrassah of Mufti Naeemi in Garhi Shahu, Lahore. The power also lies in the well-endowed Deobandi madrassahs of Karachi revealed to be over 3000 with mostly Pushtun students from the Fata region. His animus against the jihad-promoting state was owed also to this unspoken factor.

The Daily Times, Lahore; June 14, 2009

Terrorism and poor governance are feeding on each other

Kunwar Idrees in the Dawn, June 28, 2009

A disowned genius

The story of Dr Abdus Salam is both captivating and inspiring. It is at the same time, a Shakespearean tragedy in which the highest human ambitious are displayed alongside the pettiest human prejudices. …

Dr Salam quoted Sir Syed Ahmed, “You may disown me, you may call me an infidel — a kafir — but allow me to educate the nation’s youth for the sake of the future just as you allow a non-Muslim mason to build a holy mosque….”

Cosmic Anger makes an important contribution to our understanding of his personal faith as well as the consequences to our society when governments start meddling in the personal beliefs of its citizens, displacing from society reason and moderation, and strengthening intolerance and bigotry.

Shahid Kamal’s review of “Cosmic Anger. Abdus Salam: The first Muslim Nobel Scientist” in the Dawn of June 28, 2009

Can Pakistan take on the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba?

Former RAW official says Islamabad could stop Lashkar if it stops considering LT a ‘strategic asset’.

The Daily Times, Lahore; June 22, 2009

Religion and state

Rather than discussing the merits or demerits of laws based on religion, the debate now must shift to the question: should religion have anything to do with the business of the state? Also, if Pakistan is an Islamic state then how are the interests and rights of non-Muslims citizens to be protected? If no law is to be made without guidance from religious teaching, non-Muslims automatically become second-class citizens.

Pakistan’s multilingual and diverse population cannot be bound by a single religious ideology which has so far not been able to give the state a cohesive vision or the nation a clear identity. Our identity must emerge from our plurality and diversity, not by negating these.

Naveed Arshad in the daily Dawn, Lahore; June 29, 2009