Since then, the state has adopted increasingly vicious policies. In 1985, under the late General Ziaul Haq, a new form was introduced in which voters who declared themselves Muslim had to denounce the Ahmadi faith. As the Ahmadis refused to do so, they were placed on separate rolls as “non-Muslims” under the separate electorate system. While the joint electorate was revived in 2002, as a result of extremist protests, a separate roll was created for Ahmadis. This policy has since been retained, with the Election Commission of Pakistan using NADRA data to create a separate list for Ahmadis. A community spokesman has made it clear they will not vote as non-Muslims. The group thus remains disenfranchised, while, as the spokesman has said, the appearance of their addresses on the NADRA list opens up new dangers for them.
The situation cannot be allowed to continue. The Ahmadis need to be mainstreamed; no organ or individual has the right to determine the faith of a citizen. Legislative measures are required to undo legal discrimination, backed by a programme to eradicate hate directed against them. The task will not be an easy one, but justice needs to be done without further delay, so the long suffering of a badly wronged community can be ended and their most basic rights — including that to vote — restored to them without further delay, so that all citizens can truly be equals in our society.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Hardliner: I would like your comments regarding my earlier posting asking a simple question: Why should the religion matter in a joint electorate list for which any Pakistani is eligible to vote? I am not supporting or condemning Ahmedi community. No beating about the bush please.
So far as the problem of discriminating them is concerned, yes, it should not be the case. But since ET has a habit of negatively creating an issue out of nothing, I would like to highlight the reply of the Ahmadis that they would NOT VOTE as non-muslims.......... Pakistan's constitution as well as the constitutions of all other Islamic states, declare them as non-muslims....constitutional change was agreed upon by Deobands, Barelvis, Ahl e Hadith, Shias.... (consider their internal differences as well). So if everyone agrees on the basis of dialogue that ahmadis are non-muslims........they should stop pretending to be the same.................PROBLEM would be solved there and then
@Ashar: I never said Pakistan is the only country to suffer from this travesty, please don't digress. You, however do only have one more Islamic country to share your opinion and 99% of muslim world does not seem to agree with you at all! Take Bangladesh for example, where they categorically refused to declare Ahmadis non-muslims, because you just can't meddle with matters of faith!
I think you'll find yourself a part of exceedingly small minority if you wish to take this matter and look at it macroscopically. Suite yourself my friend.
That's the price Ahmedi's are paying for supporting Mohammed Ali Jinnah's movement for creation of a homeland for subcontinent's Muslims. if only their forefathers had some foresight !!
Just voicing my opinion as a non-muslim and a non-hindu.
I am from a minority community in India and I must say we are a part of mainstream life and politics.
While Nehru might not be the best of leaders, his cabinet did ensure the best constitution in the sub continent.
Does the parliament have the authority to declare non-Muslims as Muslim; then how can it declare people who profess Islam and kalmah shahadat as non-Muslims? No one or institution can decide the the faith of another person.
@ Fareed;Acorn guts; Dan; Optimus; Mullah man
Firstly, Muslims or no Muslims, every Paksitani must get the right to vote and it is the responsibility of state to secure every citizen's life and property. full stop.
Secondly, constitution is amended and reamended to suit the rulers nothing to do with people like me or you.
Thirdly, what civilised world are we talking about? If its west, you don't need to go far in history to judge how civilised they have been or still are. If you mean civilised economic super power neighbours, then please have a look at newspapers from their minority groups and you will see how blessed we are in Pakistan (it would have been even better if not for Mush)
We are where we are, coz of choices we had made so far. These were influenced by lack of knowledge and transparency. Let's educate our people and ensure justice.
The word KAFIR has always puzzled me , even those who are addressed as kafir resent being addressed as such , while to my understanding it only means what I believe the addressee does not believe . In fact a Kafir is also a believer but he believes the tenets / principles of his own religion or belief systems so the word can be applicable conversely .
In English the equivalent of Kafir is infidel and means no different and represent the Anglo Saxon effort to be literally correct and faithful to word Kafir as it is found in Arabic or its Hebrew equivalent , .
@Acorn Guts: Well sir, Pakistan was not the first country to declare them non muslims. Please do some research on your own as well. Otherwise do get in touch and I will help you as much as I can.
I agree with the article and it is easy to understand that votes are based on nationality not on the basis of religion. All persons who are commenting on this article must read the speech of Qaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 11 August 1947.
@ashar: it's because of people like you that PAkistan is the laughing stock of the civilised world and that our neighbours are economic superpowers while we have a begging bowl in our hand , well done sir
@ashar: And you sir, do not have the mandate or the prowess to make such decisions. Matters of faith are not decided by man written constitutions especially when the said constitution has repeatedly been discarded, re-written and modified which clearly shows the flawed and error prone nature of the document.
The next step for minority groups in Pakistan are "freedom papers" followed by "concentration camps" and then "gas chambers"
@Optimus Prime: Well thts why you have amendments, you can make amendments in the constitution because its man made and errors can occur. But, the fact that be it your NIC Form or Passport Form you have to explicitly declare Ahmadis as Non-Muslims shows every Pakistani judges over the Ahmadis religion. In a sense every Pakistani declares Ahmadis as Kafirs !!! Whether Ahmadis declare others as Kafirs or not is something not proven, but here you have it black on white - on every Passport Application Form and Voting Paper !!!
Ahmedis are non muslims. And they should accept it.
Thanks , for your brave voice. fully agreed on The situation cannot be allowed to continue. The Ahmadis need to be mainstreamed; no organ or individual has the right to determine the faith of a citizen. Legislative measures are required to undo legal discrimination, backed by a programme to eradicate hate directed against them. The task will not be an easy one, but justice needs to be done without further delay,
The constitution of Pakistan of 1973 declares the Ahmedi sect as non-Muslim. Since it does, we should have no problem accepting the ECP's decision.