DPO Sialkot, Afzal Kausar told The Express Tribune that Riaz Ahmed Basra, 53, was not killed due to religious hatred, instead, the motive appeared to be “personal enmity.”
Basra was the secretary of general affairs of the Ahmadi community in the village, where about 2000 members of the Ahmadi community reside and form the majority population.
The general secretary and his family reportedly fostered a decade long enmity with another family of the area which belongs to the Shia community. In 2001, Basra’s elder brother was targeted due to the enmity. A member of the opposite group was also subsequently killed.
The police say that Thursday’s murder could be linked to the same dispute.
However, Ahmadi community members of the area disagreed with the police over the possible motive.
They alleged that for the past two years, the community has been embroiled in a tussle with local clerics and their cohorts which bred tension. The conflict precipitated into confrontation over the construction of “Bait-uz-Zikar”, a place for the Ahmadi community in Ghatialian to worship.
Qari Afzal, of the Barelvi sect, has a seminary near the village. He approached the police over the construction of Ahmadi worship place. When the tension escalated two months ago, the police took the case to the Lower Court of Pasroor, where the case is being heard under section 145 CrPc.
Secretary of general affairs of Ahmadi community in Sialkot, Qasim Ahmad Sahi says that anti-Ahmadi clerics used their influence and provoked the murder of Riaz Ahmed Basra by colluding with Basra’s opponents.
Police though have registered an FIR under section 302 PPC after an application by the Ahmadi community was filed. At least one suspect had been arrested at the time of filing of this report.
COMMENTS (15)
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I really don't understand what is going on in this country which was created in the name of ''Islam''.Islam is the only religion in the world who emphasizes on the equality of citizens whether they are muslims or not.Have we all forgot the Madina Charter?...the sayings of Quaid?..surely we have..we are jxt blindly following the extremist group who claim to be the torch bearers of Islam.we have the ultimate quidance in the shape of Quran..and the tradition of the Holy Prophet.this is surely an hour of thought for us as Muslims 1st & then as Pakistanis.
Rabia thanks for sharing.
One more thing I have to discussed that We use Mullah's word and we frequently use to describe that they all are terrorist. Most of the times third parties are involved in these violence/killing etc by using the getup of beared person.
May Allah save us from such clerics who are nothing but a stain on the face of Islam.
No,its actually a shameful incident for this senseless society
its a shameful incident for a shameful government.
@Bilal Bhatti: wow, I've rarely read such a profound comment on a news site!
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajeeoon!
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajeeoon! love for all hatred for none thanks Rabia mehmood you are a brave writer same as like Malalah .jazakallah
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajeeoon! may a high status to decease amd enable the family to have patience amd strength! Aameen!
Thanks Rabia Mehmood for this news
Surley to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return... ameen
Pakistan has fallen so far that it has reverted back to the times before the advent of Islam. There is no honour left among men now, no patience. The Qur'an has become but mere words and Islam is only a name, a memory of a once glorious past. All that is lost in Pakistan now. Immorality, brutality and materialism is all that is left. The PEOPLE of Pakistan need to instigate change, it MUST come from them. The current government cannot be expected to change, it is the worst culprit of all! If anything, the people of Pakistan need to wipe the dust off their Qur'ans and read the words. They need to take the Jaanmaz (prayer mats) off the wall, lay them towards the Qiblah and wash them with their tears. They need to rekindle their faith in Islam with COMPLETE humility and submission to their Creator. Only then can we expect to see a change in Pakistan.
May Allah make it so, Ameen.
Shame on you Mullahs!!
Have lost words now to describe the horror....