Aslam Bhatti, 34, was sitting at his computer shop in Baldia Town on Sunday morning when armed men riding on motorcycles shot at him four times. While Bhatti tried to duck two bullets, a bullet ripped through his shoulder and another through his jaw, leaving him critically injured.
Bhatti, the father of three daughters, had reportedly received death threats by people in his locality who called him an infidel and asked him to leave the area. SHO Saeedabad Irshad told The Express Tribune that since Bhatti had a facial injury he has not recorded a statement to the police as yet. He said that Bhatti was a respected man in the neighborhood and had no personal enmity. While he did not rule out the possibility that Bhatti was targeted for his faith, he said the police would only know the motive once it had investigated the case.
During the last four days, prominent leaders of the Ahmadiyya community have been receiving printed death threats at their residences or workplaces. Masood Khan, a Karachi-based representative said that, “People are extremely frightened and are tense that something ugly might take place against our community soon.” The letters bear the name of the ‘Tanzeem al Qaeda and Tehreek-i-Taliban’. The letters state that Ahmadis are enemies of Islam and state that they should be killed. They have been addressed to active community members and have been received at a community centre as well as in residential areas. Khan said graffiti against the community has also appeared in different parts of Orangi recently.
The Jamaat Ahmadiyya Pakistan’s spokesperson Saleemuddin believes Bhatti was targeted because of his beliefs. Around six Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan since January 2012, including Ahsan Kamal, who was shot dead in Karachi earlier this year. The spokesperson urged the government to take notice of these incidents and also stop the distribution of such threatening letters.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Dear PM, DPM, CJ, CM, please take serious notice on such issues. Hatred campaign against minorities taught in schools. So, how can you change this society in tolerant society?
Assalam. It is seen from the acts of these hate mongers and murderers that they are not following the path of Islam and the teachings of Muhammad (s.a.s). If at all they have an iota of faith left in them, they will first offer 'Salat' and just learn the meaning of 'Surah Fateha'.. Definitely, they will desist from these type of activities. If at all they concentrate on "Ihdinas sirat almustaqeem", they can judge themselves, whether they are guided towards the path towards Allah or the other way round. Just concentrate on the actions without any bias and compare these acts with the actions of our Holy Prophet (s.a.s.). Can we judge our actions to be much holier and more acceptable than our Prophet (s.a.s.)? If the answer is yes, that our actions (shedding of others blood, doing everything to propagate hatred, moulding shariat to our own benefit etc.etc.) are more holier than our Prophet (naoozubillah), then go ahead with all the misdeeds you are carrying on now, but if the answer is in negative, and it has to be in negative, if we are true muslim, following the faith of Muhammad (s.a.s.), then wait and think before every action. Fear Allah as when His wrath comes, nobody can survive behind their guides or masters be it political or religious or anyone else. Fear Allah and repent on your mistakes. May Allah grant us all, the will to come out of the shackles of satan and satanic forces.
At least we had the rule of law and protection of the government during the British days. Is this the AZADI we wanted from the British.
Aoa. Brothers the truth always wins regardless the situation inshallah our prayer will come true and we will see a better Pakistan. Wete us ahmadis will the majorty.. Thus hatered cannot harm ys or stops us no matter what..
Lets pray all if CJ looks into the matter and try to protect Ahmadis who are also "nationals' of Pakistan. Can he take Suo moto here as well? On the other hand, it is the cowardice of highest degree when a Strong attacks a Weak.
Salute to etribune for highlighting the graveness of the situation of Ahmadi's in Pakistan....
If only our PM would actually implement on what he said yesterday when he used the Ahmadiyya Community Moto "Love For All, Hatred For None" as seriously that is actually the only solution to World Peace...
Peace...!!!
In Urdu it is said, " Marde Nadan per Kalame Narmo Nazi Be Asr" No amount of criticism or advises will have any affect. Wrath of Allah is probably getting ready. How long the blood of innocents will be wasted. I feel pitty for the consequences cruels are going to face for these atrocities.
People of pakistan have moved away from tolerant and peace loving Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad May peace be upon him. May Allah bring peace and prosperity back to pakistan and give Hadayyat to these religiouse fools
How come CJ does not take suo moto when it comes to minorities?
love for all hatred for none
CJ is poor !!
I humbly request the new PM of Pakistan Raja Pervez Asheaf to please ensure the protection of minorities in pakistan and keep on using the Ahmadi community's slogan "love for all hatred for none" and also ensure the implementation of this slogan.
Serving to save a minority member is the last thing most Pakistani Muslims would do. The hate is continuously taught in schools and at home. How can one expect safety and justice when hate is being taught almost as a curriculum?
It is an unfortunate backlash of that nurturing hate that Pakistan has organizations like TTP or other supporters of radical terrorist ideologies. Such organizations have made the country's situation so worst that now the Pakistani Muslims prefer to take refuge or settle in a non-Muslim country.
My beloved country where weaker is always a target and the few sadistic people prey to the weakest with immunity. Can we hear anything from so called 'Muslim Shura' with a CJ as its amir!