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Asia

Bilawal Bhutto hints at abolishing Pakistan’s anti-Ahmadiyya Laws

Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari dropped hints that he will work towards abolishing Pakistan’s controversial laws against Ahmadi Muslims. The 28-year-old politician admitted that Pakistan had a lot to answer for the way how minorities were being treated in the country. Responding to a question about the role of Pakistan People’s Party in introducing the legislation against Ahmadis in 1974, Bilawal said: We can go into the past and keep talking about what people have done at …

Pakistani Minister voices his support for Blasphemy Laws

Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has voiced his support for the country’s controversial Blasphemy laws. He made the comments while speaking at the ‘KhatmeNabuwat’ conference in Golra Sharif on Saturday. Speaking at the conference, Dar said: There would be no change in the blasphemy laws, as Pakistan came into being in the name of Allah and Prophet Muhammad.Pakistan was the only country whose foundation was laid on Islam and Kalma Tayyaba. There would be also no change in KhamteNabuwat laws, …

Pakistanis who Persecute Minorities could be Refused U.S. Visas

U.S. Pres­id­ent Donald Trump’s ex­ec­ut­ive or­der on U.S. refugees and immigration could severely affect Pakistanis who plan on visiting the United States. A draft copy of the executive order published by L.A. Times describes how U.S. visas could be denied to those who engage in “persecution of those who practice other religions”. The order reads: In addition, the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry and hatred (including “honor” killings, other forms of violence against …

Pakistani-Americans concerned over disappearances of Pakistani activists

Pakistani-Americans have expressed their concern over the recent disappearance of activists and bloggers in Pakistan. Prominent Activist and bloggers known for their controversial political and religious views have gone missing in the past week. Salman Haider, a prominent activist went missing on the evening of January 6th in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. Within hours of his abduction several other activists including Goraya, Aasim Saeed, and Ahmed Raza Naseer also went missing. In a statement AdvoPak director condemned the disappearances …

U.S. issues travel warning for Lahore over anti-Ahmadiyya protests

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for the Pakistani city of Lahore, warning Americans of “religious protests”. The warning comes as religious groups gather for citywide protests against the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The advisory issued by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security said: “On December 16th at approximately 13:30 hrs, two different religious protests are expected to begin in Lahore. The first will start at the Press Club and the second in Data Darbar. Both are scheduled …

Muslim mob attacks Mosque in Pakistan

Police and Army personnel were called in on Monday as a Muslim mob armed with guns and rocks attacked a Mosque in central Pakistan. The mob which numbered over 1,000 was part of a procession celebrating the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad when it attacked the minority Ahmadiyya community’s Mosque in Dulmial village, Chakwal. Around 40 worshippers who were present in the Mosque locked themselves in as the mob opened fire and hurled rocks. After gaining control of the …

US ‘very concerned’ over Pakistan’s crackdown on Ahmadis

The U.S. Government criticized Pakistan on Friday for raiding the International Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim minority in Chenab Nagar (Rabwah). Speaking at a press briefing, U.S. State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner commented: “We are obviously very concerned about these reports [that] the Punjab counter-terrorism police have raided the international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah and arrested 4 individuals for publishing literature.” Responding to a question about Pakistan’s attack on Ahmadi Muslims and other minorities earlier …

Pakistan arrests 4 Ahmadis during Rabwah Raid

Four Ahmadis were arrested Monday afternoon in Pakistan, during a raid on the offices of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The arrests were carried out in the Ahmadiyya majority town of Rabwah by the CTD (Counter-Terrorism Department) of Punjab Police. CTD is responsible for investigating terrorism and sectarian-related incidents. Three police vans with 28 heavily armed officers forced their way into the ‘Tehrik-e-Jadid’ building and ‘slammed’ the workers onto the ground according to witnesses. At the same time, another group of officers …

Pakistan to ban Ahmadi teachers from teaching Islamic studies

Pakistan’s Christian Secretary of School Education has assured Ministers that no Ahmadi teacher would be allowed to teach Islamic Studies or Arabic Language in schools. Secretary Joyce Rufin Julius made the comments on Wednesday while discussing Educational matters in Pakistani province Punjab’s provincial assembly. Secretary Julius who herself is a member of Pakistan’s Christian minority said no teachers from the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will be hired to teach Islamic studies and Arabic and the education department will soon issue …

ISIS claims responsibility for Sectarian murders in Karachi

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the murder of a senior Pakistani police officer and a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Both men were killed in a near-identical drive-by shooting on Sunday night in the port city of Karachi. The attacks happened within a three hour time period; Traffic airport DSP Faiz Ali Shigri, a member of the Shia community, was killed near Laal Flats in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, while his driver was injured in the attack. The DSP was sitting …

Pakistan’s appointment of new Military Chief sparks religious controversy

Appointment of a new military chief in the largely Muslim country of Pakistan has sparked a religious controversy. The new chief, Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa who is replacing General Raheel Sharif, has been labeled an ‘Ahmadi’ by the country’s right-wing religious nationalists. The controversy began on November 22nd, when Pakistani Senator, Sajid Meer, published a video on facebook in which he suggested that one of the four Generals being considered for the position of Army Chief had Ahmadi family …

Pakistan bans Christian TV channels

Pakistan has ordered a shutdown of all Christian channels airing in the country and has arrested at least six cable operators for defying the order. Local priests have called the ban a blow to religious freedom in the country. The ban has affected 11 Christian TV channels including Pakistan’s oldest Christian satellite broadcaster, Isaac TV, as well as Indian Christian channels. The blocked channels include Gawahi TV, God Bless TV, Barkat TV, Praise TV, Zindagi TV, Shine TV, Jesus TV …