Protest in Lahore against arrest of shop owner for putting up hateful poster

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

LAHORE: Hundreds gathered outside Lahore's Hafeez Center on Monday, protesting police's arrest of a shopkeeper for putting up an anti-Ahmadi poster.

The protesters consisted largely of shopkeepers from Hafeez Center, Lahore's largest electronic marketplace. They gathered on Main Boulevard opposite the center, holding placards and chanting slogans against the arrest of shopkeeper Abid Hashmi and the filing of a case against him.

On Sunday, Gulberg police arrested Hashmi for putting up a notice declaring Ahmadis “infidels” and banning their entry into his shop.

According to a news release, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Haider Ashraf took notice of the pasting and directed the Model Town Division Superintendent of Police (SP) Mustansar Feroze to arrest the suspect.

On Saturday, a police team led by Gulberg Station House Officer (SHO) Yousuf Butt had conducted a raid on the shop and removed the poster. Hashmi was arrested Sunday and a case was registered against him under sections 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code and 16 of the MPO.

The DIG said the National Action Plan (NAP) would be implemented at all costs and strict action taken against violators. He said no one would be allowed to post any hate material against any religious group.

The issue was brought to the DIG’s attention by people concerned with the contents of the poster. Under the NAP, police officials were directed to take action against any reported instances of hate speech and crime.

On Wednesday night, a photograph of the notice pasted outside the Hafeez Centre shop had gone viral on social media, demanding that the Punjab government and city officials "take action" against the "shameful" poster.

Also read: Police take down offensive anti-minority poster in Lahore after outrage

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Pakistan

Imran Gabol is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. He covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and metropolitan affairs. He can be found on X at @gabolizm.

Shop owner held for putting up ‘hate notice’

Police take down offensive anti-minority poster in Lahore after outrage

Raja Ragu Raman

Dec 14, 2015 07:08pm

He must be jailed for 5 years minimum...

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Usman

Dec 14, 2015 07:08pm

Boycott Hafeez Centre!!!!!

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nabeel

Dec 14, 2015 07:09pm

a step taken for the right cause to stop hate speech and the level of jahalat i can see in the people who are protesting in favor of this silly guy who is spreading hate among Pakistanis. Then the koom asks why is there killing and why does the world hate muslims. May the righteous prevail ..!!

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Khwarezmi

Dec 14, 2015 07:09pm

This is what other shop owners do when one of their "shop owner" get arrested in the bazar or a market in support. I have heared of this many times. I see this in light of this and not political statements of sort. People should live and let live. Most of the puritans do not even know the besics of Islam, if they did they would not put hateful signboard on their shops.

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Javed

Dec 14, 2015 07:18pm

These pakistanis want equal rights when they travel abroad, cry on injustices happening to muslims in india and elsewhere, and criticize Trump for speaking his mind about terrorism but they treat minorities living in Pakistan like subhumans. I visit Hafeez Centre often and such posters are placed in many shops. It is not about a few shopkeepers. The whole society has the same mindset.

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AXH

Dec 14, 2015 07:23pm

What is wrong with these people? They expect that people like them be treated with respect in other countries but they do not practice the same behavior themselves. These are hypocrites.

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AXH

Dec 14, 2015 07:25pm

@Javed - I agree with you. This cancer has been left alone for so long that it has taken its roots and it will take a lot of effort to root it out.

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Ali

Dec 14, 2015 07:26pm

here needs brutal action and don't let anyone intervene, if needed arrest them and bring in the court of law.

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M Taimur

Dec 14, 2015 07:27pm

This is the difference between Pakistan and other countries. In India people protest if there is hateful speech but in Pakistan people come out on streets to protest against the arrest of people responsible for hateful posters. I think this is the time that religious leaders should come out and support the arrest of that shopkeeper else they will appear as stupid when they will criticize Donald Trump on tv shoes.

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raza

Dec 14, 2015 07:29pm

they should be dealt with severly and the market should be sealed till these hate mongers are taught a lesson.

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Rudy salim

Dec 14, 2015 07:29pm

The Ahemadies living Pakistan or else ware have the same right as any other citizen of Pakistan or any minority community like Parsi, Hindu or Catholic Or Protestant or even Jews under the Democratic norm and the constitution of the country.

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Mobeen

Dec 14, 2015 07:29pm

How such protests in the favor of people spreading hatred are allowed after NAP?

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ehsan

Dec 14, 2015 07:31pm

Shameful hypocrisy on part of these protestors

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Dec 14, 2015 07:31pm

Hate mongering in any shape or form must be condemned, stopped and banned by force, no ifs or butts.

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Dec 14, 2015 07:31pm

Hate mongering in any shape or form must be condemned, stopped and banned by force, no ifs or butts.

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Erum

Dec 14, 2015 07:32pm

It's the mindset which needs to change. People protesting against this hate monger's arrest shows it all about our mentality as a nation. And that's the basis of terrorism. Curriculum in schools need to change drastically to teach love, respect and tolerance for everyone. This mentality of "us being Muslims are superior" than followers of other religions need to change.

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Common Man

Dec 14, 2015 07:32pm

Good move, keep him locked up! No hate speech should be allowed in our country!

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Sublime

Dec 14, 2015 07:32pm

Punjab gov had made its point by removing the posters. by arresting the shopkeepers, it has increased the stakes and unified the traders needlessly. now the traders will make it personal issue.

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syed

Dec 14, 2015 07:34pm

Finally Punjab police did something good, the shop keeper should be in jail as an example

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Mr Pakistan.

Dec 14, 2015 07:34pm

As a British Pakistani I will be writing to the British government to suggest that all the owner of hafeez centre be refused any visa to travel to the UK - it is Pakistanis with extremist ideology such as his that give other peaceful Pakistanis living abroad a bad name

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Ayub

Dec 14, 2015 07:35pm

He is spreading hatred and wants to gain cheap popularity and sympathy of the anti-Ahmadis- the majority. He should be dealt with in accordance with the law.

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M.Saeed

Dec 14, 2015 07:36pm

Tolerance and intolerance are the new subject of universal unrest being engineered, fabricated and planted to please those who celebrate the self annihilation of Muslims by falling into their traps.

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Khalid

Dec 14, 2015 07:38pm

"A move in the right direction" I hope that he is jailed and also pays "compensation" to the people he is discrimination against and that "nobody" should give their "patronage" to such individuals.

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Muhammad

Dec 14, 2015 07:39pm

They all should also be booked for abetting and supporting a criminal

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Zak

Dec 14, 2015 07:41pm

Kindly out all the protesters also in jail for many many years.

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AXH

Dec 14, 2015 07:46pm

Imagine how those people feel who were born in this country and lived all their lives but face discrimination on regular basis.

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parveez

Dec 14, 2015 07:47pm

There is no room for hate. No excuse. Prison sentence a must

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Muslim Medina

Dec 14, 2015 07:49pm

The best solution is to arrest a few more and fine all the shop owners for spreading hate.

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Engr. khan

Dec 14, 2015 07:49pm

Nothing will happen to Hashmi. Only removal of poster was enough.

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Cyrus

Dec 14, 2015 07:52pm

@Rudy salim .... They don't have the right to make more money.

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Baalighy

Dec 14, 2015 07:54pm

All protesters should also be arrested.

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Raja Centre

Dec 14, 2015 07:58pm

very sad new i am in Raja center main market gulber right now and here many Christians and Ahmadis but no 1 hate then we love each other

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Mr Pakistan.

Dec 14, 2015 07:58pm

The names of all those protesting should be made available to western visa consulates - given what has happened in California we should aim to refuse visas to all extremists - these type of people demand human rights for themselves in western countries but want to deny ahmadis the same rights

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Dec 14, 2015 08:00pm

Removal of poster was a good sign...one step at a time to educate the masses. However, if a law is broken then one must be presented to courts and courts alone can decide action to be taken.

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Kashmiri

Dec 14, 2015 08:01pm

Brilliant. Must be sentenced for life. At last Punjab police decided to act in the interest of people of Pakistan!!!

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Dec 14, 2015 08:06pm

I bet all these shopkeepers cry foul against Trump. Time to boycott Hafeez centre and protect fellow Pakistanis. Tabdeeli!!!

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Gulberg

Dec 14, 2015 08:07pm

Gulberg is most Liberal and Secular area in Pakistan and i know people of this town is very free minded

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Farukh

Dec 14, 2015 08:10pm

These people who are demonstrating has no morals. I could not believe that I belong there and have been living with these kind of people. Unbeleibable and unimaginable thinking and mentality. Feel very sorry for Ahmidis.

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Asim Khan

Dec 14, 2015 08:11pm

Boycott the Hafeez centre and hurt them where it really hurts, in their pockets!

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Kerala

Dec 14, 2015 08:11pm

Today morning when I read this news, I thought pk would change in 5 years....but now....it will take another 25 years...

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Zain

Dec 14, 2015 08:12pm

@ Gulberg I agree with you brother i know Gulberg is modern and uper class area

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Nadia

Dec 14, 2015 08:14pm

The best thing as a consumer would be to stop patronising Hafeez centre. But we, the people of Lahore, wont do that because that would inconvenience us.That is the only way to show the traders that hate speech against any community is unacceptable and that they should not support a man who was doing so. We like to rant against the Americans that they are treating muslims badly but what about us. Ahmedis are Pakistanis like us. They have the right to live freely in this country as the rest of us do.

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Gulberg

Dec 14, 2015 08:15pm

@ Gulberg I think Hafeez center market Union is responsible jail them all members of market union

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Iqbal Malik

Dec 14, 2015 08:16pm

Any person who is spreading the racism must be punished. We have a literacy problem in our ountry, government should handle these guys with iron hand.

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Kamal Pasha

Dec 14, 2015 08:26pm

@Kerala, That is why there are so many Keralites in the Middle East.

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SadFace

Dec 14, 2015 08:35pm

jailing such people will not resolve matters. They need to be educated properly and provide proper insight on what they are doing is wrong.

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Saeed Masood

Dec 14, 2015 08:36pm

The poster was removed that was enough now the authorities are making sure that the Ahamadis are attacked and the problem converts into riots...This arrest will not solve the problem or increase love..that is supposed to be taught at schools...not jails...

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Ahmed A.

Dec 14, 2015 08:49pm

All those protesting should also be rounded up and put behind the bars.

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Dec 14, 2015 08:53pm

It is sick to watch people protesting in favor of the culprit. It also shows how deep the hatred has penetrated in the society. In order to make an example, the government needs to also arrest those who are supporting the culprit and give them exemplary punishment. We must kill the venom and through it away in a zealot like manner if we want Pakistan to survive in the 21st century as a viable and progressive country.

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Sallu Bhai

Dec 14, 2015 08:53pm

Punjab government deserves full support for this action. Keep up the good work PMLN

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Adnan Aziz

Dec 14, 2015 08:55pm

Blacklist Hafeez Center. Arrest all protestors. Enforce law strictly. Make Pakistan liveable.

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Sikandar

Dec 14, 2015 09:16pm

Good to see sane comments here.

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Adeel

Dec 14, 2015 09:23pm

Zero tolerance for anyone who preaches / spreads hate

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Azhar jamil

Dec 14, 2015 09:29pm

A sensitive issue, showing that there is no space for iterfaith harmony in our society.Which is not a good sign indeed.But Punjab Police did the job very well.

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ejaz

Dec 14, 2015 09:33pm

If the government gives up to the protestors, believe me there will be lot more protest everywhere. What right wing extremists want? Pakistan just cannot push 2 to 5 million Ahmadis out of country or in the ocean? We already declare them non-Muslims. What else do you want? What are we afraid of? Are we afraid that our own religion is not strong enough and that 2 to 5 million Ahmadis will hijack our religion? Ahmadis are Pakistani citizen too and we should accommodate them. We should be tolerant enough to live together in peace and harmony. Ahmadis are also humans. They are living under constant threats and fear of being killed by mob. I challenged every mullah in Pakistan to prove me with Quranic verses where it says to kill the non-believers. .

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anony

Dec 14, 2015 09:49pm

Shame on all these protesters. As a sunni muslim, I demand equal rights to all Pakistanis, whether shia, sunni, ahmedi or anyone else. We must stand united as one nation and there should be no place for discrimination.

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A Ahmed

Dec 14, 2015 09:51pm

The state has a very poor track record of dealing with such matters. All it will take is for the traders to call on the assistance of some local mosque or madrassa and the next thing you know their storming the jail, or burning down Ahmadi homes. I doubt the govt has the capacity to maintain this stance, they will likely surrender.

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Salman

Dec 14, 2015 09:58pm

Agree with usman Boycott intolerant Hafeez CentrE

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Najam

Dec 14, 2015 10:05pm

No Sir!! No more hate specch. We can't tolerate it as a nation.

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Adnan

Dec 14, 2015 10:10pm

I am disgusted with these people who support bigotry and hatred. There is no respect of human rights. All Pakistanis regardless of religion and race should be treated with respect and dignity. I am very sad to see that so many of us think otherwise.

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Yousuf

Dec 14, 2015 10:16pm

These protesters are equally criminal as the the one who posted hate message on his shop.

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Javed Iqbal kaiser

Dec 14, 2015 10:23pm

Hat off for Lahore Police. Action must be taken under Anti-Terrorism Act against the accused and his supporters

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Syed Qutub

Dec 14, 2015 10:35pm

We scream Islamaphobia when Islamists willfully break secular laws in western countries which have allowed them refuge and there is public discourse protecting those values by citizens who have contributed to nation building. Munafiqs are we not??

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Omer

Dec 14, 2015 11:06pm

Yes. Boycott Hafeez Centre ASAP. Communal hatred based upon someone religious or non religious beliefs

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Hassan

Dec 14, 2015 11:10pm

Hard to believe but maybe the nation is finally realizing that religion is an individual matter.

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Bilal

Dec 14, 2015 11:33pm

When is the clean up operation starting in Punjab ? Just saying

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Rauf

Dec 14, 2015 11:46pm

Those protesting people be arrested as they practically showed their mindset. They should be educated in the jail I mean their brain should washed of the hate completely.

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Merchant

Dec 14, 2015 11:52pm

Boycott Hafeez Centre and its extremist shopkeepers.

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Hopeful

Dec 15, 2015 12:07am

Positive action at last. Good job.

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Mr Pakistan.

Dec 15, 2015 12:17am

Ahmadis are citizens of Pakistan

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jbashir

Dec 15, 2015 12:19am

The hatemonger should be arrested and punished. Police is right. I appeal for full support to the police and law agencies for arresting the 'fasaadi' shop keeper

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yousuf

Dec 15, 2015 12:42am

There should be a special chapter in curriculum to teach new generation to get along and ever one has right to live.

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Qamar

Dec 15, 2015 01:43am

minorities should be treated with respect in Islamic state as Jews used to be treated in last prophet days.

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JustWasif

Dec 15, 2015 01:47am

Expected rresults: SHO will be dismissed or his life will bevin danger, Shopkeeper will release with "strict" warning, and he will become hero of the "nation" , More and more pamphlets appears as an act of saving "islam"

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Suraj

Dec 15, 2015 01:49am

Can't believe this kind of culture still exists among people. What would happen if a Hindu or a Christian shop keeper displays a board that Muslims are not allowed in the shop or store. Police did the right thing by arresting him.

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JustWasif

Dec 15, 2015 01:52am

the owner of hafeez centre be refused any visa to travel to the world it is Pakistanis with extremist ideology such as his that give other peaceful Pakistanis living abroad a bad name

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MA LAKHAN

Dec 15, 2015 01:53am

Congratulatios to Punjab Police for taking such strong and bold AND unprecidetal action. If such people r taken to Law, it is sure that such hatefull attitude of the extremist will be discouraged. Punjab Police --HURRAH

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Touseef

Dec 15, 2015 02:10am

Start a campaign to boycott HAfiz center till they apologize and start respecting Humanity.

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Mani

Dec 15, 2015 02:36am

TTP supporters. Their hate has caused irreparable damage to the nation. Their sickly attitude must be condemned and their punishment must be exemplary so next time they think twice before they spread hate.

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Zohaib

Dec 15, 2015 02:39am

Let it be known that not All Pakistanis support such idiocy.

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Qadir Baloch

Dec 15, 2015 02:41am

It's annoying because I know Hafeez Center like back of my hand. Business is booming there and many of those guys I have personally seen starting business riding on bicycles now they are driving Hilux and Land Cruiser trucks and nice cars. Middle class hard workers. I hope they are not the ones who are part of the crowd and it's just local hooligans and trouble makers with nothing better to do. Pakistanis need to stand united, forget this sect nonsense.

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Aku

Dec 15, 2015 03:19am

Boycott Hafeez Center, let them protest. Government must not succumb to these goons

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shahid

Dec 15, 2015 03:31am

Juat amazing! I can love my country again. I wish we had done it a long time ago. Muhammad Ali Jinnah , Sir, rest in peace ,we will do as you had envisioned.

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Khan

Dec 15, 2015 03:47am

Boycott all those idiots.

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Yousaf

Dec 15, 2015 03:47am

Please do not blame the people alone. If government puts this person with hate poster in Jail for at least 20 years and those who came out on streets to protest are also put in jail for 20 years, non bailable, then next demonstration will never come.

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Jeffrey

Dec 15, 2015 03:56am

Step in the right direction as others said but i know nothing will happen in the end. Just worried about the lives of the police officers involved.

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Pakistani

Dec 15, 2015 04:22am

Are these people stupid, what happened to religious tolerance. The same people will complain when western people prevent Muslims from entering their shops. There is no place for this kind of behaviour, this person divided a nation by putting this poster - boycott his shop and the shopping centre. We talk about peace & tolerance what is this then - we have to lead by example.

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shojol

Dec 15, 2015 04:36am

@Farukh no....feel very sorry about us, not Ahmdeis...

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wshaikh

Dec 15, 2015 04:41am

Why do we complain about Donald Trump talking against Muslims? Hating someone on the basis of religion, nationality, race, color, or gender is against the law and the government has the right to enforce it. Every citizen of Pakistan has the right to practice his / her religion.

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saqib ghumman

Dec 15, 2015 04:44am

Hats off for DIG Police for implementimg the first step in right direction!

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MIRZA

Dec 15, 2015 04:52am

Government should be very harsh with these bigots.

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Ahsan Gul

Dec 15, 2015 05:01am

Good authorities action. A step in right direction to reduce/eliminate hatred and injustice. If we, Pakistan wants to progress and wants to be considered a respectable nation then we have to show that constructive steps are being taken and all Pakistani have the equal rights. When all citizen will feel that Pakistan belongs to each and all then economy will be vibrant and people will feel self respected. Thanks authorities.

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Abdul Karim

Dec 15, 2015 05:39am

Poster was a reflection of shop keeper's mind and was only damaging his business. There was no more punishment needed for this shop keeper.

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zafar Iqbal

Dec 15, 2015 07:30am

@Iqbal Malik It seems you also have a literacy problem. Read what the real issue is, then comment!

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zafar Iqbal

Dec 15, 2015 07:32am

@Ahmed A. Haha!

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Farooq

Dec 15, 2015 08:48am

Hate can only be overcome with love.

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rehan

Dec 15, 2015 09:44am

Another useless debate

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Asif Kashmiri

Dec 15, 2015 02:19pm

shame on us Pakistanis for this mentality.

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Mona

Dec 15, 2015 09:03pm

It seems like a step in the right direction. Whether they will punish him or not. I don't now. But at least the thought and action taken against this hate crime is worth a pat on the back. I hope they try to put an end to this hate crime completely. Even those against other minorities such as the Christians.

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Rubina Shakir

Dec 15, 2015 11:15pm

If such actions were taken long before we would never had reached the miserable condition we are in today. Letting such injustices happen has lead many to believe they can do whatever they please with minorities. Minorities no longer felt safe in their own country. Finally a comendable action has been taken by the authorities.

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Abid Usman

Dec 16, 2015 10:13am

such kind of hateful graffiti is inscribed on many shops in almost every market,, such is proliferation of hate-based religious teachings and indoctrination in Pakistan,, i don't think Govt can cope with it, even nawaz sharif would have to risk losing election because many people has gone down the blind alley of religious indoctrination far too deep

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Munib

Dec 16, 2015 10:35am

Shop keeper have the public support. As per democratic principles, he should be released on public demand. Otherwise we should abolish democracy and implement autocratic secularism and never ask for democracy again

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haider

Dec 17, 2015 08:49am

PM should take notice and make a committee

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