Pakistan: Muslims murder Ahmadi sectarian leader

An Ahmadi Muslim leader was gunned down allegedly for seeking police protection against Muslim sectarian zealots in Ferozewala police precincts on January 5, as reported by Pakistan's Daily Times.

The family of Muhammad Yousaf, 70, – leader of the Ahmadi community in Rachna Town, Ferozwala, Lahore – alleged that extremists killed their patriarch. In the police report, Yousaf's family alleged the local leadership of the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat (TTKN) assisted the killers. Earlier, extremists had gathered together, carrying placards and signboards bearing slogans condemning the Ahmadis.

After eight days, the men visited the police station with PML-N MPA Pir Ashraf Rasool to prove their innocence. The local court has not demanded bail for the alleged perpetrators.

Rachna Town is much like any other typical Pakistani lower-middle class locality. What differentiates Rachna Town from other localities, however, is the overwhelming presence of anti-Ahmadi banners, posters, signboards and graffiti on the streets and roads denouncing them as murdood (apostate), and thus enemies of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, who are Wajabul Qatal (ought to be killed).

Almost 150 Ahmadi families live in the area. The Ahmadis are adherents of a sect of Islam called Ahmadiyya, which considers itself to be Islam in its pristine form and its successor.