Pakistan restricts religious freedom, practice: US
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WASHINGTON: A day after a mob killed three Ahmadis in Gujranwala, the US State Department pointed out that Pakistan’s constitution and laws restrict religious freedom and prohibited Ahmadis from practising their faith.
“Although the constitution declares that adequate provisions shall be made for all citizens to profess and practise their religious beliefs freely, other constitutional provisions and laws impose limits on this right,” notes the department’s annual report on international religious freedom.
US panel urges action on Pakistan religious freedom
The report, released on Monday also notes that according to the constitution and penal code, “Ahmadis are not Muslims and are prohibited from calling themselves Muslims or their belief Islam, as well as from preaching or propagating their religious beliefs, proselytising, or insulting the religious feelings of Muslims.”
The report, which is sent to the US Congress as an official document, points out that punishment for violation of these provisions is imprisonment for up to three years and a fine.
Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014
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Comments (31) Closed
Jul 29, 2014 07:06am
"Live and let live" show has been permanently cancelled.
New show and every show live from now on....
I am right No I am right No I am oh lets just beat each other to oblivion.
Enjoy the show!
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Jul 29, 2014 07:11am
As Muslims we have the freedom of even praying on the busy streets of New York City.
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Jul 29, 2014 07:18am
"Punishment for violation of these provisions is imprisonment for up to three years and a fine". But you can go scott free if you kill them in the name of religion.
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Jul 29, 2014 08:10am
Does USA themselves grant freedoom to muslim in USA . there are restrictions on masjid construction etc
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Jul 29, 2014 08:18am
so much for the bragging of freedom in Pakistan.
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Jul 29, 2014 08:18am
Agree
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Jul 29, 2014 09:55am
Religious freedom died the day jinnah died. The clear understanding comes from the way jinnahs last rites were performed. Although he was a Shia , but his last rights were performed as Sunni. If jinnah had to go through all this....imagine the other minorities.
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Jul 29, 2014 09:59am
Who attack, kill, what others believe and practice of faith they follow.
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Jul 29, 2014 10:18am
Zak your comments ? Is this true or another conspiracy theory ?
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Jul 29, 2014 10:20am
Has the US Government become aware of this law now after 30 years when it was promulgated by a military dictator in April 1984? Its a joke.
As for the constitution, it divides the citizens of Pakistan into first class and second class citizens. With such a constitution talking about "democracy" is a farce.
What happened to Ahmadis in Gujranwala, is deplorable and is the result of "constitutional" sanction of persecution of minorities by the state.
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Jul 29, 2014 10:35am
@siddharth Y ou need to be respectful while describing the names and instead of calling JINNAH, you should have mentioned his full name QUAID-E-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH.Furthermore, how much religious freedom is in AMERICA where our HOLY book THE QURAN has been burnt by a PADRI
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Jul 29, 2014 10:39am
What is new in this report slowly most of the minorities are vanishing from Pakistan
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Jul 29, 2014 10:45am
The problem is that US still consider Pakistan as country and its people as Muslims.
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Jul 29, 2014 10:49am
@Arif get a life have you ever be in usa ??
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Jul 29, 2014 11:05am
Yes, I agree. But it is unfair to compare USA and Pakistan. Though Pakistan is always accused of unfair with non-Muslims but in reality it is the culture. For example, even the Muslims are not allowed to exercise their personal freedom such as freedom of expression. Similar is the case in many developing non Muslim countries.
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Jul 29, 2014 11:30am
sad that usa still has hopes left in pakistan and muslims.
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Jul 29, 2014 11:49am
Is this is a current news? This was a breaking news in 1947..
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Jul 29, 2014 11:49am
@Arif what restrictions on Masjid construction? Please clarify, US is the most free country when it comes to individual religious freedom. And if there are restrictions for public good reasons, like if you are building a religious place, you just build a parking lot, they apply to all religions equally. Can you please specify what do you mean by US restricting religious freedom.
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Jul 29, 2014 12:29pm
@siddharth Sorry, but Muhammad Ali Jinnah was nor Shia or Sunni. He was a Muslim.
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Jul 29, 2014 01:38pm
It is becoming a mad house. Hope the liberal peace loving Pakistanis become strong enough and heard beyond the comforts of discussion boards by the Pakistani leaders to eradicate such atrocities against others and provide true equal rights for all Pakistanis and all human beings irrespective of their religion and sects.
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Jul 29, 2014 02:39pm
@Arif You mean one night masjid?
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Jul 29, 2014 02:51pm
@Haris
Do you SERIOUSLY expect non-Pakistanis to believe your absurd assertion????
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Jul 29, 2014 02:53pm
@zakquack So called secular country has been exposed , what a shame.
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Jul 29, 2014 02:54pm
Well I don't completely disagree with saying Ahmedis are non-muslims. I only disagree with this imprisonment.
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Jul 30, 2014 10:50am
Same is the reason Pakistan is going in the path of self destruction.
Just yesterday 4 Ahmediyas got killed, because someone put something in FB post.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1122333
Pakistanis cares only for Sunni muslims in India, Palestine and all over the world.
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Jul 30, 2014 11:29am
US and freedom, a big joke !
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Jul 30, 2014 11:56am
Has the USA forgotten it's own patriot act or the random airport checks. France's hijab ban, palestine protest ban, ICC banning of "save Gaza" wrist bands. USA's rhetoric of "threatto our way off life" has droned bombed invaded scores of country. It seems they are competing with Britain colonial era !
Its USA that's arresting freedom of speech with NSA! Going after journalists and whistleblowers and habutualy lying to the world about WMD of Iraq . The charge sheet is endless!
Martin Luther King had a dream, Obama turned it into a nightmare !
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Jul 30, 2014 12:29pm
How ignorant, of course Ahmedis are not Muslims because they believe that the last prophet was ' Ahmed Mustafa' in the 1930's. So the US report is stupid. However, never have people been killed because of any religion. Ahmedi's are Pakistani's who have served the country excellently and should be protected, respected and honored.
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Jul 30, 2014 02:29pm
@mohammadnoonnanna that is the religious freedom, ofcourse taken to the extreme but way better than killing an ahmedi for far less. You will never understand religious freedom until you can empathize with every minority and be able to see world from their point of view.
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Jul 30, 2014 04:02pm
Religions, it has been said, are like blind men groping at an elephant. One grabs the tail and claims that "this all there is to the elephant, noting more, nothing less". Another grabs the trunk and says "this all there is to the elephant. Nothing more, nothing less." And so on. All religions mislead their adherents.
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Jul 30, 2014 04:39pm
Is it not true, that every Islamic nation practices RELIGIOUS APARTHEID? You are very sensitive to injustices (real or perceived) carried out towards Muslims. Yet you are completely blind to injustices perpetuated by Muslims to non Muslims.
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