Suspected Sunni radicals destroy 80 Ahmadi graves in Pakistan's Daska

Ahmadi members claimed that the portions of the cemeteries where the graves were destroyed were allocated to their community by the authorities.

Ahmadis report that the extremist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan incited the desecration, which was carried out by the order of the Assistant Commissioner of Daska, Anwar Ali Kanju, known for his hostility to the Ahmadiyya community, reported Bitter Winter.

The community members alleged the same official had ordered the attack on another 75 Ahmadi graves in September 2023.

As per Pakistani laws, the country regards Ahmadi people as non-Muslims.

Reacting to the development, Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne posted on X: " In Pakistan Ahmadi graves continue to be desecrated by the police. It is a very bad signal in the run-up to the elections."

Who are Ahmadi Muslims?

Ahmadiyya is an Islamic revival or messianic movement originating in British India in the late 19th century.

It was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), who claimed to have been divinely appointed as both the Promised Mahdi (Guided One) and Messiah expected by Muslims to appear towards the end times and bring about, by peaceful means, the final triumph of Islam.

Adherents of the Ahmadiyya—a term adopted expressly in reference to Muhammad's alternative name Aḥmad—are known as Ahmadi Muslims or simply Ahmadis.