Islamabad, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has confirmed a ban imposed by the Punjab government on a 23-section publication by the minority Ahmadi community. The court dismissed petitions filed by the community challenging this ban.
The Ahmadi community had approached the FCC after lower courts, including the Lahore High Court and its Multan bench, rejected their appeals. These courts ruled that the petitions were filed too late and that the community had not utilized available legal remedies within the specified time frame.
In their petitions, the Ahmadis argued that the ban violates their right to religious freedom under Article 20 of the Constitution. The FCC stated that a thorough examination of the validity, basis, and arguments surrounding the ban and seizure orders was necessary to determine if Article 20 had been violated. The court noted that the petitioners had failed to present the relevant publication materials before the court through proper legal channels, leading to the dismissal of their petitions.
The judges criticized the petitioners’ lawyer for providing generic arguments about fundamental rights and religious freedom instead of clarifying the actual content and alleged impact of the publication. They remarked that claims of religious freedom violations by the executive appeared to be an afterthought and merely a general discussion on Article 20 and fundamental rights.
Due to procedural shortcomings and the lack of necessary materials, the court stated it could not rule on the constitutional questions raised by the petitioners.
Meanwhile, on September 7, United Nations experts expressed serious concern over ongoing discrimination, violence, and legal restrictions against the Ahmadi Muslim community in Pakistan. They urged the Pakistani government to ensure the community’s safety and adhere to international human rights commitments.
The experts indicated deep concern over reports of persecution, criminal prosecutions, violence, and social ostracism faced by Ahmadi community members due to their religious identity. They emphasized that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief, and should not be subjected to discrimination, threats, or violence, nor hindered from peacefully practicing their faith.
The experts highlighted attacks on Ahmadi worship sites, desecration of graves, and disruptions during religious events such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. They also voiced concerns over arrests and prosecutions related to religious identity and hate speech against the community.
They stressed the need for effective measures to prevent violence in Pakistan, ensure accountability, and protect vulnerable communities. The experts stated, “The state has a responsibility to take due diligence to prevent human rights violations, conduct fair investigations into allegations, act against perpetrators in accordance with international standards, and provide effective justice to victims.”
Additionally, the UN experts called for an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed those inciting hatred and violence to operate unchecked.
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