Pakistan: Current treatment of Ahmaddiya Muslims
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1989 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK1999 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Current treatment of Ahmaddiya Muslims, 1 September 1989, PAK1999, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace13b.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In 1974, the Ahmadis were declared non-Muslim by the government of Pakistan. [ Judge Gustaf Petrén, et al. Pakistan: Human Rights After Martial Law, Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 1987, p. 103.]In April 1984, President Zia issued Ordinance XX, which provides for prison terms of up to three years or unlimited fines for any member of the Ahmadi faith who in any way poses as a Muslim or refers to himself as a Muslim. Although the Ahmadiyya movement is a sect of Islam, it is a minority one which is not recognized as Islamic by many other Muslim groups in Pakistan because of some doctrinal differences. [ Karen Parker, Human Rights Advocates, Inc. Human Rights in Pakistan, San Francisco: Human Rights Advocates, Inc. 1987, p. 16.
] At least 12 Ahmadis were reportedly murdered for their religious beliefs between 1983 and 1985, and Ahmadi property and Mosques have been defaced or destroyed. [ External Affairs communique of 10 August 1989 discusses the ransacking and burning of Ahmadi homes on 12 April; Karen Parker, pp. 28-30.] Ahmadis have allegedly been discriminated against in employment, and many rights and freedoms (e.g. of association, assembly, and speech) have been greatly reduced. Ordinance XX is still in effect in Pakistan under the government of Benazir Bhutto. [ External Affairs, 10 August 1989.] A copy of this ordinance is attached.
Limited information regarding the treatment of Ahmadis since the election of Benazir Bhutto is available to the IRBDC at this time. An article, "Miffed Minorities", (India Today) dated 31 March 1989 mentions the Ahmadi issue. [ M. Rahman, "Miffed Minorities", India Today, 31 March 1989, p. 160. (attached)] In it, one Ahmadi businessman asserts that Bhutto will be unable to change Ordinance XX. Please see the article "The Morning After", (Far Eastern Economic Review), dated 15 December 1988, which briefly discusses Prime Minister Bhutto's initial moves on the human rights front, and her determination to restore the 1973 constitution. [ A. Rashid, "The Morning After", Far Eastern Economic Review, 15 December 1988, pp. 14-15. (attached)] In addition, a communique from External Affairs is attached, which discusses the criticism (by the non-governmental Human Rights Commission of Pakistan) of the government in failing to safeguard the rights of Ahmadis under the existing constraints of Ordinance XX. [ External Affairs, 10 August 1989.]
Please refer to the attached material for more information regarding the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan.
- M. Rahman. "Miffed Minorities". India Today. 31 March 1989.
- Ordinance No. XX, 26 April 1984, Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
- Ahmed Rashid. "The morning after". The Far Eastern Economic Review, 15 December 1988.
- United Nations Economic and Social Council. Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in any Part of the World, with Particular Reference to Colonial and Other Dependent Countries and Territories, E/CN.4/1986/NGO/30.
- Judge Gustaf Petrén, et al. Pakistan: Human Rights After Martial Law, Geneva: International Commission of Jurists, 1987.
- External Affairs communique, 10 August 1989.
In addition, please refer to the attached information from the Ahmadiyya Movement of Islam (Ontario), which refers to a recent law and some incidents which took place in Pakistan over the past year.