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Ahmadi Man Booked for Distributing Langar on Ashura in Gujranwala
An Ahmadi man in Gujranwala has been booked under blasphemy charges for distributing biryani as langar on Ashura. Case registered under Section 298(C) of PPC.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-07
Ahmadi Man Booked for Distributing Langar on Ashura in Gujranwala

An Ahmadi man has been booked under blasphemy charges in Gujranwala for distributing free food (langar) on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, it emerged on Monday.

According to the first information report (FIR) filed at Satellite Town Police Station on July 6, the complainant accused the man of “identifying himself as a Muslim and acting like a Muslim” while distributing biryani as langar at around 4:30pm.

The case has been registered under Section 298(C) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which prohibits members of the Ahmadiyya community from “posing as Muslims” or using Islamic terminology in any form.

➤ FIR Details

The complainant alleged that he witnessed the accused distributing biryani and informed two other individuals. However, the suspect allegedly fled the scene before being confronted. The FIR also stated that the accused “could not perform Islamic rituals”, implying his religious identity disqualified him from participating in such practices.

➤ Context of the Law

Section 298(C), part of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, specifically targets the Ahmadiyya community, criminalising any act that may imply their association with Islam. Conviction under this section can carry up to three years of imprisonment and a fine.

This development follows recent warnings from the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), which had urged police to prevent Ahmadis from observing Islamic rituals during Eidul Azha, calling such actions both “legally and religiously impermissible.”

➤ Rights Groups Raise Alarm

In March, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) issued a report titled “Under Siege: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2023-24”, highlighting rising persecution of religious minorities, particularly the Ahmadiyya community. The report cited arbitrary detentions, desecration of graves, and faith-based killings, with at least three Ahmadis killed in the last year alone.

The HRCP noted that over 750 people were in prison on blasphemy charges as of October 2023 and warned of the growing use of social media disinformation to spark such cases.

 
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HRCP

Gujranwala

Ahmadiyya

BlasphemyLaw
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