Parachinar Arrests during Peaceful AROPL Campaign

Pakistani Authorities Suppress Peaceful Religious Expression in Parachinar with Arbitrary Arrests and Scholars issue calls for "Jihad" against the peaceful campaign. Local Islamic Scholars in Parachinar held Friday Sermons on December 19, 2025, speaking out against and rallying the local Muslims against the Ahmadi Religion of Peace & Light, and its leader Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem.

Parachinar, Pakistan – December 19, 2025 – Human rights monitors express concern over the recent crackdown by Pakistani authorities in Parachinar, where a peaceful poster campaign announcing a new religious figure has led to arrests, threats of violence, and violations of fundamental freedoms of religion and expression.

The campaign involved AROPL supporters posting materials in public spaces, including markets and near places of worship, proclaiming the appearance of a awaited leader associated with a religious movement based in the United Kingdom. Rather than protecting peaceful advocacy, local authorities responded by issuing arrest warrants and detaining individuals, including two members of the public who had no direct involvement in the campaign but were simply seen receiving posters after related videos circulated online.

Tensions escalated following public criticism from community figures, who denounced the posters and called for their removal and stated online that it was a form of "jihad" to do so. Online discussions amplified the controversy, leading to reported threats of violence in private messaging groups, including calls for physical harm against supporters.

There has been an increase in the backlash and  the online fallout escalated into threats, with messages circulating in group chats warning of violence against those involved- threatening to behead Tahir and calling people to burn down his home. They also alleged the religion was backed by Israel.

Despite this hostile environment, the campaign continued non-violently, drawing inquiries from individuals interested in learning more about the movement's teachings. Local media outlets covered the story, often echoing critical voices, while authorities prioritized enforcement actions against those associated with the posters. The arrests appear to target peaceful dissemination of religious beliefs, raising serious questions about discrimination against minority faiths and the selective application of law.

The viral campaign also led to a surge of enquiries from people seeking information about the call of the Mahdi Aba Al-Sadiq and despite this backlash instigated by the scholars, the believers continued distributing posters, two members of the public with no connection to the religion were arrested after simply being handed posters- after videos of them were posted online warrants were issued for their arrest immediately.

These actions constitute clear infringements on internationally protected rights, including freedom of opinion, expression, and belief as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Pakistan's own constitutional guarantees. Arbitrary detentions based on religious messaging undermine democratic principles and risk further polarizing communities.

Two locals in Parachinar were arrested, simply for receiving flyers during AROPL missionary works in the area.

Several news channels reported on the story, HTV Parachinar, a local news channel, contacted Bushra directly and shared clips of of News Presenter Syed Abuimad, criticising the movement, and more clips of scholars including another video by Najf Ali Nahjat Najafi criticising the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq in his gospel “The Goal of the Wise.”

Amidst the local rhetoric, media storm, scholars provocative calls towards jihad, extremist islamists posting death threats in messenger apps and now the collective Friday sermons in Parachinar, Human Rights coordinators for AROPL are concerned things can escalate quickly and are monitoring the situation closely and documenting everything. More information will be provided as the story develops.

For more information, contact: outreach@theahmadireligion.com