Intro
The disturbances began after an ultimatum was delivered to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 21 January 1953 by a deputation of ulama representing Majlis-i Amal (council of action) constituted by an All-Pakistan Muslim Parties Convention held in Karachi from 16 to 18 January 1953. (Including Tehreek-e-Khatme Nabuwwat — under Majlis-e-Ahrar-ul-Islam) The ultimatum stated unless three demands were met:
- Removal of Zafarullah Khan from the foreign ministry;
- Removal of Ahmadis from top government offices;
- Declaration of Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
The demonstrations began on 1 February 1953, and soon escalated into citywide incidents, including looting and arson. Per Ahmadiyya persecution records, only 5 Qadiani-Ahmadi’s were killed in the 1953 Lahore riots. In fact, be declaring Martial Law, the Pakistani government saved Ahmadi’s and specifically, came to the aid of Mirza Nasir Ahmad. Mirza Nasir Ahmad was imprisoned briefly in Lahore (from Apr-1 to May-28, Mirza Sharif Ahmad also), mostly to save his life, he was arrested and released on 28 May 1953. The police and military seem to have killed over 1000 Muslims in this incident (See Blood, Peter R., ed. December 1996. Pakistan: A Country Study). In 1954, the second Khalifa came to court and was questioned about this entire incident by his long time friend, Justice Munir.
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