Gunmen kill retired Ahmadi air force official in Attock
61
ISLAMABAD: Gunmen in northwest Attock district have shot dead a retired air force official who was a member of the country's Ahmadi minority, police said Thursday, bringing to seven the number of people killed in violence against the persecuted community this year.
The incident took place in Kamra, Attock district, around 64 kilometres north of the capital Islamabad on Wednesday, a spokesman for the community said.
“Latif Aalam Butt, a well-known Ahmadi was killed outside his house in Kamra, district Attock. He was returning home from his stationery store, when unknown assailants repeatedly fired at him,” Saleem ud Din said.
Local police also confirmed the incident, adding that Butt was 62. It was not immediately clear what role he had served in the air force.
“The victim's son filed an application here at the police station today,” local police official Qasim Ali told news agency AFP.
“According to his son's account, the victim owned a stationery shop in Saddar market and was returning home from his shop during the incident.”
Butt's neighbour reported the incident and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital, Ali quoted the son as saying.
Also read: Ahmadis, seared to the wall
Ahmadis are today one of the most persecuted minority groups in Pakistan. They are frequently attacked, accused of blasphemy and subjected to discrimination in education and the workplace.
Gunmen shot dead an Ahmadi doctor in the southern city of Mirpurkhas last month.
In July, an angry mob torched an Ahmadi neighbourhood in the city of Gujranwala, killing a woman and two girls after a local Ahmadi boy was accused of blasphemy.
The worst attack in recent times came in 2010 when an assault on Ahmadi places of worship in Lahore killed nearly 100 people.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
Oct 16, 2014 06:31pm
What a shame. There is no compulsion in Islam.
People must be free to believe whatever deity they want. But what can you say about a society where corrupt, incompetent and murderers roam free while poor people die just because of their belief or social background.
Another unfortunate incident in our long, dark and troubled history.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:37pm
Very Sad! Shameless killers!
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:41pm
The killers are beasts, not human.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:45pm
Result of all the hatred and fanaticism seeded by our religious leaders and the establishment during last 50 years – a sad and tragic history of our endless social demoralization…. May his soul rest in peace.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:45pm
Result of all the hatred and fanaticism seeded by our religious leaders and the establishment during last 50 years – a sad and tragic history of our endless social demoralization…. May his soul rest in peace.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:57pm
as a Sunni Pakistani Muslim I want to apologise to the Ahmediyyah community, who helped found Pakistan (whilst out mullahs opposed its creation). Now the mullahs want to run the same country and deny full rights to this minority. The bhutto era law should be repealed and ALL our minorities should be given equality. It is not for the state to decide who is muslim or not. This absurd idea has been argued over for over a thousand years. Its not going to be solved by tick boxes on a passport application form.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 06:58pm
Result of all the hatred and fanaticism seeded by our religious leaders and the establishment during last 50 years – a sad and tragic history of our endless social demoralization…. May his soul rest in peace.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:01pm
Sick people.
Humanity comes first!
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:02pm
Another coffin in Jinnah's Pakistan
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:13pm
Unless the bull is taken by the horns, this problem is only going to get worse. Forget TTP, ISIS. Round up all the home grown religious and religious originated political leaders. Abolish all discriminatory laws. Change school and Madrasah text books. All religious activities must be monitored and only brief with no mention of other sects and faith Friday sermons should be approved by local govt. Ban the use of loudspeaker.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:18pm
Though there is discrimination on religious bases in Pakistan yet not all of the minority people are murdered because of religious bias. Minorities are part of the society,the very society that is often criticized for the most heinous crimes. Cant they have any rift within family or anyone? cant they be involved in any misconduct or crime. seriously they are as Pakistani as other community in Pakistan. Without any court verdict or even preliminary investigation by police Minorities accuse their fellowmen for Discrimination.
Out of everyone in the Ahmedi community in Kamra why would someone kill a retired PAF employee who owns a stationary shop??? Yes the fanatics hate them, so does that mean they carry weapons all the time and the moment they see an ahmedi they kill them, if that was the case all ahmedia would have been killed by now.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:22pm
That an Ahmadi once was an air force official is an achievement in itself. He would have led a happy retirement life had he been in India. Very sad.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:22pm
"Devil finds work for empty hands to do". If the government had provided means of income to every Pakistani, he would be busy at his job, not roaming around, attacking and killing innocent and hardworking people. It is jealousy that causes such acts and minority persons are attacked first,since they are supposed to have no rights to jobs that the loiterers could have. This is not going to stoop with minorities but soon everyone going to work will be attacked unless the government wakes up from its deep slumber in their mansions. Why are the jobless not given the electric meter-readers jobs? That should take out the guess work from exorbitant electricity bills sent to people which caused some deaths. What good is the metro bus to the 1.6 crore that Nawaz Sharif quotes are his voters?
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:25pm
See how few comments we have about this killing.And then think what went wrong with our country.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:42pm
@karthik many Ahmadis are living a happy retirement in Pakistan. Despite their troubles, many Ahmadis remain patriotic and devoted to their country.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 07:53pm
Why should the Ahmediyas be killed ?Are they not believers of Allah ?The Quaid -E-Azam had stated that everyone will be free to practice his or her form of worship in Pakistan.Then how come they are not following his dictates ?In spite of killing Ahmediyas and Baluchis,they still are eyeing KASHMIR.Is this not an irony?Let them rule the existing areas righteously before thinking about Kashmir.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:01pm
Any where in the civilized world a retired armed personal would be held in the highest regard as that individual was ready to put his/her life at the feet of the country
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:08pm
@aamed I am not trying to be critical of entire Pakistan society as there are lots of benevolent people but the government, law and institutions are not with Ahmadis. There is an official sanction against them. If we have to go by your point then there are millions of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and many thousands Buddhists, parsis, iranis, Jews live prosperous and peaceful life even in India. Such an attack would have awaken the civil society
Despite many such attacks I don't see any outrage in this country instead the community including shia try to seek asylum in Australia and other places
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:13pm
Does it ever strikes anyone that these ahmadis demonstrate the same spirit of tolerance for which the Muslim of Holy Prophet(saw)'s time were recognized for. Only Alllah can grant such steadfastness.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:14pm
One more murder in the name of sectarianism; when will this bloodshed stop?
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:15pm
Miniorities are not safe in Pakistan and the Govt can not give them protection. What a shame ! The Federal Govt should resign when they have failed to protect non-muslims. Really Pakistan has gone back to dark ages.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:21pm
@Akram
Agreed 100%.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:21pm
This situation will not improve unless the government removes the word minority from all official and policy decisions. The percentage of literate people in Pakistan is very low and majority of them come from sub standard institutions, plus religious leaders in Pakistan are more concerned about politics rather then supporting and campaigning for real Islamic teachings and values. This must change, progressive segment in Pakistan must become more vocal and active in making Pakistan a progressive country, political and religious leaders have lead this country into a complete disarray.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:26pm
@Fariha
If u have any confusion.
You may contact. I can brief
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:30pm
I fully support Ahmadis complete equal rights in Pakistan. Killers are criminals and must be punished maximum.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:30pm
Thousands of Muslims are being killed by these non Muslims. No body taking notice but when any one of non Muslim killed all so called Muslim comments against Muslims without any confirmation
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:37pm
@Akram : Thanks, may God bless you.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:38pm
yet another shameful act against humanity. We need to condemn this barbarian act more strongly and openly.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:43pm
so sad.....blood in the name of islam? may rest in peace my friend.....
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:48pm
I am ashamed ashamed ashamed ashamed ashamed ashamed ashamed ashamed........, as a Pakistani!!!!!!!!! This is what happens when you marry religion and politics together!!!!!!!
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 08:59pm
@aamed
then why the killing of ahmadis ??
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:00pm
Stop the persecution of minorities, sadist people.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:01pm
I am very sad to hear this news. May his soul rest in peace. May God help his family to overcome this deep loss.
A peaceful coexistence is only possible through mutual respect and mutual acceptance. Not only the terrorists, but also the extremist Mullahs, who prepare the minds of these murderers, should be punished.
This news supports every word of the today's DAWN Editorial with the caption " Religious Intolerance".
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:07pm
@aamed - Pakistan has a serious problem with the way Islam is being practiced. The killers often go unpunished and in some cases are glorified as protectors of Islam. Honestly even the middle east is not that bad when compared to the way minorities are treated in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:16pm
@rony "then why the killing of ahmadis ??" It is not the air force or police which kills Ahmedis . It is narrow minded religious bigots
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:51pm
This is all what we are reaping today is the result of hate seeds sown by Zia-Ul-Haq & Z.A Bhutto by introducing discriminatory laws against Ahmadis. These laws first closed all the doors of independent/open practice of their religion, and now people are trying to snatch their right to live.
Can those killing innocent Ahmadis produce any example of such brutality in the History of Islam? Islam is a religion of love and peace, and strictly discourages to take lives of innocent people in the name of religion.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:52pm
I feel sorry for the treatment of Ahmadis in Pakistan. Totally unfair. Ahmadis were at the forefront of development of nascent Pakistan after partition and around the world they have done a lot of good for humanity including Non-Ahmadis.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 09:56pm
Whether we agree with them or not but atleast we should not take away their right to live like human beings.
They have the right to live in the country without fair and with dignity and honour.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:12pm
@Bulbul who is stopping you and others to speak about killing of Muslims, but to justify the killing of Ahmadis or any other sect because there are not enough people speaking out against killing of Muslims is sick mindset and one which is causing problems all over. Moment you justify innocent killings such as this you actually encourage such acts.
This brutal act should be condemned in strongest possible way.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:12pm
This is no service to peaceful Islam. The killers are sick people, the act is barbaric and inhumane. Humanity comes first. Prophet Mohammaed has shown utmost mercy to his worst enemy. I do not undestand which Islam these Barbaric illiterate people are preaching.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:41pm
@Bulbul Who gave you the right to call someone a non-Muslim, when he /she calls themselves Muslims? So, I guess most Muslims are right when they speak against non-Muslim discrimination.
Thousands of Muslims are dieing because of the very twisted belief which you and millions of other Muslims have been brought up by Madarsa version of Islam, so, it is these fanatics to blame for not non-Muslims. When you have courage to face and speak the truth that's when you'll learn and understand otherwise, you all will be sumun, bukmun and ummiyun.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:43pm
We, the people have the power and the responsibility to frame sane and humane laws and to see misguided fanatics dealt with.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:44pm
Right to judge is with God and nobody else.Pakistan is for all Pakistanis regardless of their beliefs.A real shameful act.Hang the people who planned and executed this horrendous act.Have no mercy for these murderers.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:50pm
@karthik : how many know of air marshall Latif of Indian Air force who on retirement was appointed as governor of maharahtra.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 10:51pm
@Shahid Khan basically it is the problem that we havd separated Islam from our lives and made it a section. This thing devided us into two extremes one is the secular who wants to Westernize the whole society and the other is the extremist one who monopolize the Islam and uses it for its own puposes.
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 11:41pm
@Karachi Wala - Thank you. You took the words right out of my mouth. This problem will not get solve by sitting home thinking to ourselves that its a problem. We need to actively so something about it. The government will not do anything about it as they and their familes are too busy looting the country
Recommend
0
Oct 16, 2014 11:53pm
How does the murderer perceive himself to be judged on the Final Day? He would have been better off doing good deeds than getting involved in the murder of innocent people to earn a better place for himself. He is not the law who gets to decide what is right and wrong and who and how to punish! If the murderer really believes in shariah then he should know the punishment he is liable to for this crime that he has committed. My sincere condolences to the deceased PAF official's family and loved ones.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 12:04am
Today it's my community, tomorrow it will be yours! What goes around comes around. What do you think, these religious extremists will rest once they have killed all Ahmedis? They'll simply turn to other sects..just wait till your turn.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 12:44am
Shia, Sunni, ahmadi, etc.... all are getting killed by other. Don't single out ahmadi. Few months back one guy killed and only because he had beared and sunni. Got killed by unknown.... So the bottom line is.... RULE OF LAW. Which doesn't exists in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 03:04am
This is a shame and a disgrace. Bhutto gave in to the thugs and now the the nation is paying the price.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 03:46am
This is a shameless incident but when will our justice and police system do anything about it...?
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 04:36am
Inna Lillahay wa inna ilayhay rajeoune.
Those who persecute the believing men and the believing women........
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 05:37am
When government is weak and corrupt, justice is not served.This is what happens.Make an example out of one of these killers and you will see the result.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 05:47am
I am Alhamdulillah a Muslim, but this is against Islamic teachings. There is no compulsion in Islam, and the killers have not done a noble deed they have I am afraid only earned Allah SWT's anger,
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 05:59am
He was ex Air Force, he was hero.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 06:43am
Start punishing the murderers, thats the only way to stop such non sense!
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 07:09am
@syed "Don't single out ahmadi." Really, buddy? Ostrich with head in sand much? This guy was killed because of his faith, period. Same as what happened to some others of his faith. Same is happening for Shias. Christians are being targeted in cover of blasphemy laws. And yet we still need more convincing? Even if we consider conspiracy theories as true, it is the extremists on the ground targeting people for their faith. We need to condemn these extremists non conditionally and not let them have any quarter to hide behind. While the rest of us involve in our favourite pastime of conspiracy theories and hesitate to act, it is these religious extremists who kill without any hesitations. While our army is involved in an operation in tribal areas, we are left wanting in the ideological front because of not being clear in our stand against the religious extremism.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 07:54am
@taskin fatima - time to take the secular path and modernise the nation for all its citizens. Religion is personal & private, and should be kept at home.
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 08:56am
@Karthik The civil society is fast asleep or make great armchair critics!! No action though!!! No "dharnas" either!!!
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 11:17am
Do Qadiani people have no personal enmity? Are they the only ones who are targeted because of their religion? Why do newspapers jump at conclusions that they were targeted ONLY because of their religion? Were they receiving threats? Anything else to suggest that their religious belief was the sole reason? Very unprofessional reporting…very disappointed!
Recommend
0
Oct 17, 2014 07:06pm
As an unapologetic, proud and righteous Parliament-certified Muslim of Pakistan, certified as a "Muslim", by the historic Second Amendment of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, I wish to enlighten all misguided readers of this article, that Pakistan is an "Islamic Republic", with "Islam" as the State Religion. Hence, our Parliament is an "Islamic Parliament".
All our parliamentarians are righteous and pious people. We don't have to be apologetic about our sacred and holy parliament. The greatest service rendered to Islam, by any parliament, was by the Pakistani Parliament in 1974, when it passed the historic Second Amendment. The term "Muslim", as we all know had not been defined for fourteen centuries. Perhaps it never occurred to anyone that the term "Muslim" needed to be defined. It was in 1974, that the Parliament of Pakistan, finally defined the terms "Islam" and "Muslim". Cromwell might have said many things, but we should all appreciate the fact that the British Parliament, even till today, has not been able to define the term "Christian", whereas our parliament was able to define the term "Muslim", forty years ago.
Recommend
0
