A major attack of religious freedom on Ahmadis in Pakistan: Ban on sacrifice on Eid-al-Azha, 3-year prison threat

The Ahmadi community in Pakistan has been a victim of discrimination and oppression for a long time, and now more strict restrictions are being imposed on the upcoming Eid-al-Azha (Bakra Eid) 2025. According to reports, the Pakistani administration has issued a warning for the Ahmadi community that if they offer Namaz on the occasion of Eid-al-Azha or offer animal sacrifice (sacrifice), they may have to pay a sentence of up to three years and a heavy fine.

This ban is being implemented particularly in the Punjab province of the country. The police have clearly stated the Ahmadis that if they are found to do so, they will be immediately arrested under Section 298-C, which prohibits the use of religious symbols of the Ahmadi community or calling themselves Muslims.

Let us tell you that the Constitution of Pakistan has declared the Ahmadi community constitutionally ‘non-Muslim’. Since this decision, he has been almost taken away with his religious identity and freedom to fulfill the customs in public. In the recent past, there have been many such cases where Ahmadis have faced a police case and harassment only to offer prayers or Quran in their mosques. Human rights lawyer Rida Zainab expressed deep concern over the situation, saying that these steps are a severe violation of human rights and religious freedom.

People of Ahmadi community say that they are fed up with this frequent discrimination and oppression. Eid-al-Azha, which is an important festival of Muslims and is the main custom of animal sacrifice (sacrifice), but this ban is depriving Ahmadis of adherence to their religious faith. The International Human Rights Organizations have also been constantly condemning the atrocities on minorities, especially the Ahmadi community in Pakistan and have been demanding the government to ensure them religious freedom.