KARACHI: A spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya community has reported a distressing incident involving the demolition of the minaret at their worship place situated in Karachi’s Dastagir Society.
According to the community’s official statement, the unsettling event unfolded when a group of 15 to 20 individuals, described as “extremists,” took two on-duty armed policemen hostage. The aggressors then forcibly entered the place of worship at approximately 05:17 on a Wednesday evening.
This unfortunate incident follows a pattern of targeted attacks on several Ahmadiyya places of worship in Karachi during the preceding year. Despite cases being registered in connection to these incidents, there has been a glaring absence of accountability, with no individuals held responsible. This lack of consequences has, disturbingly, contributed to a surge in morale among extremists.
The community’s statement draws attention to the concerning rise of extremism in diverse forms across Pakistan. It underscores the imperative for both state institutions and civil society to unite against this growing threat. The statement emphasizes that extremist elements, driven by a destructive agenda, pose a serious risk to the peace and order of the beloved country.
In a related incident, an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi’s Drigh Road area was vandalized. Around four individuals damaged the minarets, prompting the community to file an application for an FIR. The spokesperson, Amir Mehmood, expressed concerns about the government’s failure to provide adequate security for Ahmadi places of worship, citing previous instances where FIRs were registered but progress updates from the police were lacking.
