Narrow Escape: Ahmadiyya Man Survives Knife Attack Outside His Sahiwal Home

In a chilling incident that underscores the ongoing vulnerability of religious minorities in Pakistan, Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad, a revered member of the Ahmadiyya community, narrowly escaped a brutal knife attack outside his residence in Sahiwal.

The harrowing event unfolded on the evening of May 29, 2024, in Fateh Sher Colony.

As Ahmad stepped out of his home, he was suddenly ambushed by unknown assailants, believed to be riding a motorcycle. The attackers, brandishing a knife, lunged at him in a swift, coordinated assault. Miraculously, Ahmad managed to defend himself and evade the worst of the attack, sustaining minor injuries in the process.

His quick reflexes and presence of mind likely saved his life, as the assailants quickly fled the scene.

The Sahiwal City police have since registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown individuals, invoking sections 324 (attempted murder) and 337 (hurt and injury) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

While investigations are underway, the Ahmadiyya community and human rights observers are quick to point towards a sinister, religiously motivated undercurrent to the attack.

Amir Mahmood, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya community, expressed profound concern over the incident. He unequivocally condemned the assault, emphasizing that such targeted violence is a direct consequence of the systemic persecution faced by Ahmadis in Pakistan.

Mahmood highlighted the constant threat to the lives and properties of Ahmadiyya adherents, who are often declared "non-Muslims" by law and subjected to societal discrimination, blasphemy accusations, and physical violence. He urged authorities to not only apprehend the perpetrators but also to provide robust protection to the community, ensuring such heinous acts are prevented in the future.

This incident is not an isolated one but rather a stark reminder of the precarious existence for Ahmadis across Pakistan.

From desecration of places of worship to targeted killings and the imposition of discriminatory laws, the community endures a relentless campaign of prejudice. The attack on Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad serves as a critical call to action for the government and civil society to address the deeply entrenched intolerance and protect the fundamental human rights of all its citizens, irrespective of their faith.