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India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
SHOCKING! Over 5 lakh Muslims in Pakistan barred from celebrating Bakrid due to...; Maryam Nawaz govt imposes restrictions on...
Ahmadis are not considered Muslims under Pakistani law. (File) Ahmadiyya Muslims: While Pakistan claims to be an 'Islamic Republic' and often touts itself as the flag bearer of Islam, more than five lakh Muslims in the country have been barred from celebrating the Bakrid festival, and performing Islamic rituals on the auspicious day. According to media reports, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has written a letter to the Punjab Police, demanding a strict ban on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from performing various Islamic rituals on Bakrid, including performing Qurbani (ritual sacrifice) and Eid prayers. Ahmadis not Muslims, can't be allowed to celebrate Bakrid, says LHCBA In its letter, the LHCBA has asserted that Bakrid is a Muslim festival, and only who are legally considered Muslims, can perform religious rituals on the occasion. Ahmadis are not considered Muslims under Pakistani law, which means they are barred from using symbols and practices that are regarded as Islamic in nature. The LHCBA claimed that Ahmadis are violating the Pakistani Constitution and hurting the religious sentiments of ordinary Muslims by using Islamic symbols and rituals which are meant for those who are legally considered Muslims under the law. The Bar Association alleged that the Ahmadis are acting the Constitution of Pakistan, the Penal Code and the decisions of the Supreme Court, and demanded the Punjab Police to prevent gatherings of Ahmadiyya community on Bakrid. 'Strict action must be taken against members of the Ahmadiyya community who participate in Islamic activities or perform Muslim rituals like Qurbani on Eid,' they said. Ahmadis forced to sign affidavits Meanwhile, the Maryam Nawaz-led government in Pakistan's Punjab province has allegedly forced Ahmadiyya Muslims to sign affidavits that bars the persecuted Muslim sect from performing any Islamic rituals on Bakrid. According to the Punjab Home Department, under a 2023 notification, people from the Ahmadiyya community have filled affidavits and immunity bonds, in which they have promised not to perform Eid prayers, sacrifice, or use Islamic symbols or rituals on Eid. Any violation of the affidavit/bond invites heavy fines and even jail time under sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which prohibits the Islamic identity and religious expressions of Ahmadis. Human rights groups have decried these diktats imposed on the Ahmadiyya community, stating that these violate the religious and basic rights of the Ahmadis, and are an attack on religious freedom. There are around 500,000 (5 lakh) Ahmadis in Pakistan. The community is considered as one of the most persecuted religious groups in the country.
Express Tribune
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab to shatter PPP's comeback dreams
The Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) approach of enjoying power while posturing as an opposition force is s doing little to win hearts in Punjab, with party insiders warning that this strategy is jeopardising any chance of a political revival in the province. Senior leaders of PPP central Punjab have expressed concern over the party's dwindling influence and lack of direction. A leader from the Lahore division lamented that the party has turned a blind eye to the woes of Punjab's people. He claimed that PPP's provincial leadership operates without oversight from the central command, creating a situation where party figures issue statements based solely on personal agendas and whims. There is no unified policy, with some leaders wanting to actively join the coalition government, while others preferring to continue the ambiguous middle-ground approach. He added that while the party might believe this arrangement allows it to play the role of opposition, the public perceives PPP as opportunistic – a mere backup option for the establishment, waiting for its turn in power. He noted that with PTI at odds with the establishment, a vast political vacuum exists in Punjab's opposition landscape that the PPP should seize. However, he cautioned that meaningless criticism of the Maryam Nawaz-led provincial government would do little to help the party's cause. Another senior party leader acknowledged that Maryam Nawaz is gaining political ground but questioned whether her dominance would persist once PTI regains equal footing. He slammed PPP's indecisiveness, saying that instead of firmly positioning itself on either side of the aisle, the party has chosen to sit on the fence. He noted that while Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and the PPP general secretary were vocal against the government, their criticism was misdirected. "Calling Maryam a 'TikTok CM' or predicting the collapse of the coalition in six months while simultaneously holding key government portfolios makes us look like frauds and hypocrites," he said. "We are part of the government, we shouldn't deny the obvious, as that only erodes the already fragile trust our supporters have in us. Instead, we should critically assess the government's projects based on merit, he added. He cited the only instance where the PPP displayed any political seriousness in Punjab was when it took a stance on the canal dispute, an issue more relevant to Sindh than Punjab. "This only reinforces the perception that PPP is a Sindh-centric party," he added. He further alleged that Governor Haider's statements are merely aimed at staying relevant in the media, while Hasan Murtaza's attacks on Maryam were driven by his ambitions to become PPP central Punjab's president – a position that may soon be up for grabs, should the party leadership choose to act. He credited Murtaza for putting in genuine efforts to keep the PPP's central Punjab office active, something his three predecessors, including the incumbent president, failed to do. "He deserves a shot at leading the party in Punjab." The leader also warned that the PPP's failure to secure political space in Punjab has diminished its stature, even within its own ranks. Punjab is merely a bargaining chip for the PPP – used to pressure the PML-N when needed, he added. However, he argued that without Punjab, PPP's dream of making Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the next prime minister is unattainable. "No matter how much pressure PPP exerts, the PML-N will never agree to the existing power-sharing arrangement if the tables were turned. In fact, the PML-N is doing the opposite as it is aggressively working to reclaim Punjab, leveraging all government resources at its disposal." "If this continues, Maryam Nawaz – not Bilawal – will be the most likely contender for the next prime minister," he warned. Meanwhile, reacting to a statement by the Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Central Punjab General Secretary Hasan Murtaza has accused the provincial government of prioritising Lahore while neglecting the rest of the province. He claimed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's governance was merely confined to social media appearances, saying that her performance is "limited to making TikTok videos". He further alleged that the provincial government was treating other districts unfairly, spending billions on Lahore's development while abandoning the rest of Punjab. He further slammed Maryam Nawaz's economic policies, asserting that businesses in Punjab have suffered under her administration. He claimed that farmers, traders and labourers were facing severe hardships due to her government's decisions. Defending the Punjab governor's criticism of Maryam's governance, Murtaza said he was the constitutional head of the province and reserved the right to point out the shortcomings of the provincial administration. He praised the Sindh government's efforts in health and education, claiming that they have received international recognition. He asserted that the PPP comes to power through public mandate.
