Targeted Killing Campaign Continues: Attempted Murder of Ahmadi Muslim in Joharabad, District Khushab
Joharabad, District Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan – 29 December 2025
On the evening of 29 December 2025, Mr. Mubashir Ahmad Virk, a 55-year-old Ahmadi Muslim resident of Joharabad, District Khushab, Pakistan was the victim of a targeted shooting in what constitutes an attempted murder.
Mr. Virk was returning from his farmhouse on a motorcycle when, near the property, an unidentified assailant opened fire at him from behind. The bullet struck Mr. Virk in the back and passed through his body, exiting via the abdomen. As a result of the attack, Mr. Virk suffered severe internal injuries and significant blood loss.
Link to social media: https://x.com/faith_defence/status/2005938786803277852?s=20
Medical Condition
Following the shooting, Mr. Virk was immediately rushed to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to stabilise his condition. Medical staff confirmed critical injuries consistent with a close-range firearm attack. Mr. Virk is married and has one son and three daughters, all of whom are deeply traumatised by the incident.
A Climate of Hostility and Targeted Persecution
This incident did not occur in isolation. Joharabad and surrounding areas of District Khushab in Pakistan have been at the forefront of organised opposition against the Ahmadiyya Muslim community for some time. Local opponents have actively mobilised against Ahmadis, paying particular attention to and attempting to obstruct the offering of Friday Prayers at the Joharabad Work House.
This sustained atmosphere of hostility, intimidation, and incitement has created a dangerous security environment for Ahmadi Muslim individuals and families in the area.
The targeted nature of this shooting strongly suggests that the attack occurred within a broader pattern of religiously motivated persecution against Ahmadi Muslims.
Failure of the State to Protect
The attempted murder of Mr. Mubashir Ahmad Virk exposes once again the failure of the Pakistan state authorities to provide protection to a peaceful religious minority facing well-documented threats.
As of the time of reporting, the perpetrator(s) of the attack remain at large. According to local media reports, police have made no arrests and have failed to identify the assailant, raising serious concerns regarding law and order and the unchecked rise of religious extremism in the area.
Despite the escalating hostility against Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, no effective preventive measures appear to have been taken to ensure their safety. The continued impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of violence against Ahmadis emboldens further attacks. No citizen should fear for their life because of their faith.
IHRC Demands Immediate Action
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) urgently calls upon:
- The Government of Pakistan to launch an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the attempted murder of Mr. Mubashir Ahmad Virk.
- Law enforcement authorities to identify, arrest, and prosecute the assailant(s) without delay.
- The Punjab provincial administration to ensure immediate protection for Mr. Virk, his family, and the wider Ahmadi community in Joharabad.
- The international community, including the United Nations and relevant Special Rapporteurs, to monitor this case closely and hold Pakistan accountable for its failure to protect religious minorities.
Conclusion
The attempted murder of Mr. Mubashir Ahmad Virk is a stark reminder that Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan remain under constant threat, not only from extremist elements but also due to systemic state neglect.
Silence and inaction will only lead to further bloodshed.
