In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through Karachi, an Ahmadi man was brutally killed by a mob of radical Islamists on Friday. This act of violence highlights the ongoing persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan.

Authorities confirmed that the victim, a 47-year-old owner of a car workshop, was targeted simply for being an Ahmadi as he walked near a mosque belonging to his community. Senior police official Muhammad Safdar revealed the horrifying details: "The mob attacked him with sticks and bricks after they identified him as part of the Ahmadi community."

Mob Violence: The Disturbing Facts

Reports indicate that approximately 400 members of the hardline Islamist group, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), converged on the scene, intentionally seeking out and assaulting individuals they deemed unacceptable. This extremist group has a history of inciting violence and has previously faced temporary bans in Pakistan.

As chaos erupted, police managed to disperse the crowd, allowing those trapped inside to escape. Despite the grave nature of the incident, there have been no immediate reports of charges being filed against the attackers.

Understanding the Ahmadiyya Community: A History of Persecution

The Ahmadiyya community, founded by a reformist theologian in the late 19th century, is frequently labeled heretical by the Pakistani state, which prohibits them from identifying as Muslims and using Islamic symbols. With an estimated global population of 12 million, including over 40,000 in Germany, this community has faced increasing violence and discrimination over the years.

According to spokesperson Amir Mahmood, the mob's motivations were clear: they aimed to intimidate authorities into arresting members of the Ahmadiyya community. Abdul Qadir Ashrafi, a member of the mob, stated their demands involved sealing the community's place of worship and arresting those engaged in Friday prayers.

A Call for Justice and Action

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned this latest episode of violence, labeling it a severe failure of law enforcement and a grim reminder of the state’s complicity in the ongoing persecution of the Ahmadiyya people. They urged immediate actions to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack, emphasizing the need to resist the far-right pressures that often shield such perpetrators.

This tragic event starkly illustrates the perilous environment for religious minorities in Pakistan and calls for immediate international attention and action to protect those who face such systematic injustices.