Amnesty International on Thursday, 21 May 2026, wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, raising grave concerns over what it described as structural, persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence against the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan's Punjab province. The letter warned that such violations historically intensify around major religious occasions — and with Eid ul-Adha approaching, the rights body urged immediate preventive action.

Pattern of Violations During Religious Holidays

According to Amnesty International, incidents targeting Ahmadis have consistently escalated — in both volume and severity — during and around religious festivals. The organisation documented a series of incidents during Eid ul-Fitr on 21 March 2026 that illustrate this recurring pattern.

Ahmadi congregations were reportedly explicitly prohibited in Gujranwala. Police intervened at six locations in Sialkot to halt all worship activities on Eid day. In Faisalabad, worshippers were reportedly removed from a place of worship mid-prayer. Multiple places of worship were sealed in Sargodha. The rights body characterised these incidents as 'a recurring pattern that amounts to unlawful interference with the right to freedom of religion and belief.'

What Amnesty International Demanded

In its letter to CM Maryam Nawaz, Amnesty International called on the Punjab government to take decisive, preemptive steps ahead of Eid ul-Adha. Specifically, it urged authorities to ensure police and local administrators refrain from interfering with Ahmadi religious practice, end arbitrary arrests and detentions, and prevent raids or attacks on homes and places of worship.

The organisation also demanded the establishment of an effective reporting and accountability mechanism to ensure swift action against any violations during the upcoming festival — covering both state and non-state actors.

Rights at Stake

The rights body argued that the manner in which Ahmadis are targeted across Pakistan violates multiple fundamental rights: liberty and security of person, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the right to non-discrimination. In many documented cases, it said, these actions constitute 'unlawful and arbitrary interference' in the privacy, family life, and homes of community members.

Amnesty International further called on the Punjab government to conduct independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into past incidents of violence, harassment, and discrimination against Ahmadis during Eid celebrations.

Broader Context

The Ahmadiyya community has faced institutionalised legal restrictions in Pakistan since a 1974 constitutional amendment declared Ahmadis non-Muslim, followed by 1984 ordinances criminalising key aspects of their religious practice. International human rights organisations have repeatedly flagged Pakistan's anti-Ahmadiyya laws as incompatible with international human rights standards. This latest letter from Amnesty International is consistent with a long-running pattern of documented concern — but its timing, ahead of a major religious holiday, signals particular urgency.

Whether the Punjab government responds with concrete protective measures before Eid ul-Adha will be closely watched by rights groups and the international community.