Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Ahmadiyya

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: April/27/2023

Date of Release: May/22/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Ali Ahmed Tariq

Extra Bio Info:

Ali Ahmed Tariq was detained for blasphemy.

On April 27, 2023, police arrested Tariq, a lawyer, after receiving a complaint that he used the name "Syed" – a religious prefix – in an affidavit while pleading a case. The complainant alleges that Tariq's use of the prefix "Syed" implies that he belongs to the "Ahl-e-Bait," the family of the Prophet Muhammad. The police charged Tariq with “misusing epithets, descriptions and titles, etc., reserved for certain holy personages or places” (Sec. 298-B PPC). 

On May 22, 2023, the Sindh High Court released Tairq on bail and stayed the criminal trial proceedings against him until an "investigating officer" clarifies the meaning of "Ahl-e-Bait" in the PPC and provides that court with a list of religious scholars who will appear as witnesses.

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