Event on Ahmadi Persecution Cancelled at Beaconhouse Lahore Amid Reported Pressure

A scheduled event titled “A History of Ahmadi Oppression” that was to be held at Beaconhouse Lahore (Raiwind campus) on October 21, 2025, has reportedly been cancelled, according to social media posts and statements circulating online.

The seminar, planned at the SB Auditorium at around 12:30 PM, was expected to feature Mr. Arafat Mazhar and Dr. Waqas Amjad as guest speakers. The event aimed to explore the historical and social dimensions of the persecution faced by members of Pakistan’s Ahmadi community.

Following the announcement of the cancellation, several social media pages claimed that the program was withdrawn under pressure, though no official statement has been issued by the institute or organizers confirming the reason.

Observers and human rights advocates note that the cancellation underscores the increasing sensitivity and restrictions surrounding discussions on minority rights in Pakistan. They argue that if academic institutions are unable to host conversations on the challenges faced by marginalized communities, it reflects the deepening climate of intolerance toward open dialogue on religious freedom and equality.

The Ahmadi community in Pakistan has long faced systemic discrimination and violence, with human rights organizations repeatedly calling for stronger legal and social protections.