Islamabad, June 7: An unidentified assailant opened fire outside an Ahmadiyya place of worship in Chenab Nagar, Punjab, Pakistan, injuring three members of the community.
According to the police report, the incident occurred while three volunteers were stationed outside the Al-Aqsa mosque, one of the largest and most significant sites for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. A young man arrived on a motorcycle and fired shots at the volunteers standing near the gate before fleeing the scene. The injured individuals were taken to the hospital, with one reported to be in critical condition.
Aamir Mahmood, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya community, condemned the attack, stating that this is the second incident targeting Ahmadis in Chenab Nagar in recent months. This has heightened concerns about safety within the community.
Earlier in May, a prominent international human rights organization expressed serious concern in a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding the ongoing discrimination, persecution, and violence against the Ahmadiyya community in the province.
Amnesty International noted that such incidents often escalate around major religious festivals, particularly before and during Eid-ul-Azha. The organization urged the government to take immediate and proactive measures to ensure the freedom of religion and belief, peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and equal rights before the law for Ahmadis across Punjab.
According to Amnesty International, incidents of violence and persecution against Ahmadis have been increasing in both number and severity around religious festivals. The organization previously documented cases during Eid-ul-Fitr, where local administrations and police imposed illegal restrictions on Ahmadi religious activities in several districts of Punjab.
Reports indicated that in Gujranwala, religious gatherings of the Ahmadiyya community were explicitly banned, while in Sialkot, police intervened at six locations, halting all religious activities on Eid day.
On March 21, 2026, there were reports of people being forcibly removed from a place of worship in Faisalabad, and several mosques in Sargodha were sealed.
Amnesty International stated that these incidents reflect a recurring pattern of unlawful interference with the right to freedom of religion and belief. The organization called on the Punjab government to take concrete and preemptive steps to protect and ensure the human rights of the Ahmadiyya community.
Additionally, Amnesty International demanded an independent, fair, and transparent investigation into past incidents of violence, persecution, and discrimination against Ahmadis during Eid. The organization further suggested establishing an effective complaint and accountability mechanism to ensure immediate action against any rights violations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, holding accountable both government officials and private individuals.
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