Thousands of Pakistanis took to the streets in protest against a recent ruling by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court, triggering a wave of online backlash and thinly veiled threats. The ruling pertained to the release of a man from the Ahmadi religious sect, deemed heretical by hardline Muslim scholars, accused of disseminating a prohibited Ahmadi text.
The decision stirred controversy in a nation where blasphemy allegations, even unproven, can lead to violence. Demonstrators, numbering around 3,000 in Peshawar, voiced sentiments against Ahmadis, chanting slogans like “Death to Qadianis” and “Long live Islam.” While the Supreme Court defended its ruling, citing adherence to Pakistan’s Islamic constitution, social media campaigns calling for Chief Justice Isa’s resignation gained traction.
Ahmadis, historically discriminated against in Pakistan, faced renewed scrutiny as the ruling ignited tensions surrounding religious freedom and blasphemy laws. Despite Chief Justice Isa’s assertion of upholding constitutional rights, critics, including influential clerics, denounced his reasoning, reflecting the deep-seated divisions over religious minorities and legal interpretations in the country.