On April 18, 2025, a brutal attack unfolded in Karachi’s Saddar area when a mob of approximately 400-600 people, including members of the radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), violently targeted the Ahmadi minority community. The mob surrounded an Ahmadi place of worship, chanting anti-Ahmadi slogans and attempting to disrupt religious rituals.
During the chaos, 46- to 47-year-old Laeeq Cheema, a car workshop owner and active member of the Ahmadi community, was singled out by the attackers. Cheema was severely beaten with sticks, bricks, and other blunt objects after reportedly filming the mob on his phone. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he died from multiple injuries, primarily blunt trauma to the head.
Authorities, including police and Rangers, had been deployed to the area and managed to protect around 40-50 Ahmadis by placing them in police custody. A murder investigation has been launched, with police pledging to hold all perpetrators accountable. The Sindh Human Rights Commission has called for a thorough and impartial inquiry and increased security measures for the vulnerable Ahmadi community.
Ahmadis in Pakistan face systemic persecution, having been legally declared non-Muslims in 1974 and barred from openly practicing their faith. Extremist groups like TLP frequently incite violence against them, often using blasphemy accusations. This latest attack underscores the ongoing sectarian tensions and the urgent need for stronger protections for religious minorities in Pakistan.
