UN human rights authorities on Thursday issued a stern call to the Pakistani government, urging immediate action to halt extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and attacks on religious sites, especially targeting Ahmadiyya Muslims. The call for action emphasizes the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities from violence based on religion or belief.

The experts expressed alarm over increasing reports of violence, especially noting the targeted abuse of minors and individuals with disabilities in regions like Sargodha, Daska, and Pasrur. They highlighted the dire circumstances of women detained on blasphemy charges, who face severe gender-based risks.

There is a pressing concern about the leniency of criminal sentences in blasphemy cases, which, according to the UN experts, often allow perpetrators to evade justice. This has led to a strong recommendation for the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws to reverse the growing trend of violence.

Highlighting specific instances of vigilante violence, the report mentions the tragic death of 72-year-old Nazir Masih, a Pakistani Christian, and a journalism student, both victims of mob violence due to alleged blasphemy. Since 1990, at least 65 individuals have been extrajudicially killed following accusations of blasphemy.

The plight of Ahmadiyya Muslims is particularly distressing, as they face systematic discrimination. The community has endured killings, deaths in custody, arbitrary detentions, and destruction of their mosques. During the recent Eid-ul-Adha, Ahmadis were forced to sign affidavits preventing their participation in religious rituals, underscoring their exclusion from basic religious freedoms.

Despite their substantial numbers estimated between 400,000 to 600,000, Ahmadis are not recognized under Pakistani constitutional protections. Pakistani laws explicitly prohibit Ahmadis from identifying as Muslims or practicing Islamic rites. Furthermore, new media regulations and inflammatory statements by political figures exacerbate the hostility towards Ahmadis, branding them as "agents of chaos."

The UN experts emphasize that the right to freedom of religion is a fundamental human right protected by international covenants, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The experts' call to action is not just a plea for legal reform but a demand for Pakistan to honor its international commitments to protect all religious minorities within its borders.