Female Ahmadi Muslim professor found murdered

A member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community — this time a woman, a retired assistant professor of molecular genetics at Punjab University — was found murdered in her house on 14th April 2017.

Professor Tahira Malik was found dead at her residence on the premises of the university. Her throat had been slit. Officials from the local police station confirmed that there were visible signs of torture on her body and that they had found Prof Malik lying in a pool of blood. Police also confirmed that all her belongings were present at her house and ruled out murder robbery. Therefore, it is highly likely that she was killed for her faith.

The International Human Rights Committee strongly condemns the rise, in target killing and persecution of Ahmadi Muslims, mainly in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. IHRC also urges the Government of Pakistan to protect its citizens, uphold and safeguard the fundamental right of freedom of religion.

Background:

In 1974 Prime Minister Bhutto enacted an amendment to the constitution declaring Ahmadis to be non-Muslims. In the 1980s, measures brought in by Zia-ul-Haq to Islamicise Pakistan’s civil and criminal law. It became a criminal offence for Ahmadis to call themselves or ‘pose’ as Muslims. Any such crime would face 3 years’ imprisonment, or if dealt with under the blasphemy laws it could result in death. Since then, many Ahmadi Muslims have been killed and persecuted.