Imran Khan’s communal harmony agenda tanks as Pakistan forces desecrate Ahmadiyyas graveyard

In a move which exposed Imran Khan-led Pakistan government’s abhorrence towards other religions, the Pakistani authorities and members of the Muslim community allegedly desecrated graves belonging to the minority Ahmadiyya community.

The incident took place in a village in Gujranwala, a district in Punjab where police removed Islamic symbols on Ahmadiyya gravestones based on a complaint lodged by cleric Muhammad Ikram and warned not to use the same in the future.

According to a member of the minority Ahmadiyya community, the graveyard in Tirigri village was established in 1960 and was shared by both Muslims and followers of the former religion, till 1967.

While the Ahmadis held 90 percent of the graveyard land, the Muslims separated their graves after the former was declared a minority.

While the Ahmadi member said his community members were pressured by cops to sign a document granting permission, law enforcement officers downplayed the allegation.

A police official said the symbols were removed as the minority community was not allowed to display the symbols legally, as per the country’s constitution.

An Ahmadiyya spokesperson said the development contradicts Pakistan’s willingness to appear as a nation promoting communal harmony.

Instead, by conforming to such outdated laws, the regime is bolstering the confidence of extremists to carry out atrocities against the minorities.

Pakistan’s Parliament in 1974 declared the Ahmadi community as non-Muslims. A decade later, they were banned from calling themselves Muslims. They are banned from preaching and from travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.