Ahmedi community linked literature seized, printing press sealed

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Faisalabad on Monday arrested two people for allegedly publishing banned literature linked to the Ahmedi community.

The banned publications, Tehreek-i-Jadeed and Al-Fazal, were seized and the printing press was sealed.

"Yes, a case has been registered in police station CTD Faisalabad and two accused have been arrested from Chenab Nagar," confirmed the spokesperson for CTD Punjab.

The spokesperson added that the two publications were confiscated and the printing press was sealed.

In a notification dated December 9 2014, the government of Punjab had banned the publication and referred to it as “seditious and treasonable”.

“In exercise of powers conferred under Section 99-A of CrPC, the Government of Punjab is pleased to ban and declare every copy/version of said book to be forfeited, wherever found in the open market, stocks and shops with immediate effect,” added the statement.

However, in a press release by the public affairs division of Anjum-i-Ahmadiyya Pakistan, the community claimed that that after a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court, the presiding judge had ordered no further action against the publication till the next hearing.

The order by the judge was issued on June 2, 2015.

Pakistan's Ahmedi community

Ahmedis were declared non-Muslims by the Pakistani government in 1974.

They have been arrested in Pakistan for reading the Holy Quran, holding religious celebrations and having Quranic verses on rings or wedding cards. Four years ago, 86 Ahmadis were killed in two simultaneous attacks in Lahore.

Eleven members of the community were murdered for their faith in 2014 and authorities failed to apprehend any of the killers, highlighting growing intolerance toward the community.