Pakistan: Ahmadiyya spokesperson says Ahmadis will not be intimidated, demands govt action

Saleem ud Din, the Ahmadiyya spokesperson in Pakistan, issued a press release yesterday expressing great grief and sadness at the latest murder of a well-known Ahmadi in Kamra, dist. Attock in Punjab.

Victim, Mr Latif Aalam Butt, 62, was killed outside his house in the evening hours on October 15 by unknown assailants who repeatedly fired at him.

Saleem ud Din said the incident represented a continuation of religiously motivated violence against Ahmadis. "Ahmadis are constantly on the receiving end of vicious threats and edicts of death."

"They [Ahmadis] are told that unless they turn away from their beliefs they will face persecution," he added.

Saleem ud Din declared Ahmadis would not be intimidated "by such cowardly attacks." He further added that in order to stop these sorts of incidents, the government should ban hate material against Ahmadis and take measures against those who distribute it.

Saleem ud Din demanded the arrest of those responsible for this crime so that they could swiftly be brought to justice. "Hundreds of Ahmadis are killed for their faith yet no one is ever charged for their murder which suggests a grievous degree of negligence on the part of the authorities."

Victim, Mr Latif Aalam Butt is survived by a wife, four sons and a daughter.

"He was an extremely kind, loving and pious man who harboured no enmity against anyone," said Saleem ud Din in the press release.

Remains of Latif Aalam Butt were brought to Rabwah where they were laid to rest yesterday.