Karachi Mob Killing: UC Chairman Among 15 Arrested in Ahmadi Businessman’s Murder Case
15 Held in Karachi Over Killing of Ahmadi Businessman, Including UC Chairman
In a major breakthrough, Karachi police have taken 15 individuals into custody—including a Union Council chairman—following the violent mob killing of an Ahmadi businessman, Laeeq Ahmad Cheema, in the city’s Saddar locality.
Cheema, aged 46, lost his life after a violent crowd associated with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) stormed a hall used by the Ahmadiyya community, aiming to halt a private religious gathering. The tragic incident unfolded when the mob targeted Cheema near the auto parts market—away from the original site—allegedly for filming the chaos on his mobile phone.
Despite being rushed to the Civil Hospital, Cheema succumbed to his severe injuries.
Arrests Traced Through CCTV and Digital Evidence
According to South Karachi’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, surveillance footage and technical tracking played a key role in identifying and locating the suspects.
“Fifteen individuals have been apprehended based on visual and technical evidence. All of them were present at the crime scene and directly involved,” DIG Raza said in a statement to Dawn.com. Among those arrested is UC Chairman Yasir Akhtari from Kharadar, who was located in New Karachi using mobile tracking tools.
The remaining 14 suspects were detained during coordinated raids across various neighborhoods. Authorities confirmed all have links to the TLP and were physically present during the fatal assault.
Political and Criminal Background of the Accused
DIG Raza revealed that some of the accused had prior involvement in acts of vandalism at the same venue in 2023. Cheema, notably, had served as the lone eyewitness in that earlier case, making him a target for revenge.
During questioning, initial findings suggested a calculated plot by a small group of individuals tied to the religious party to eliminate Cheema. “They used deceptive tactics to mask the attack as a response to a supposed robbery,” the DIG explained.
The mob reportedly shouted that they had caught a thief to attract attention and fabricated a scene of vigilante justice. “They even took valuables from Cheema’s pocket to further the robbery narrative,” Raza added. “This was not an anti-Ahmadi rally—it was a premeditated effort to silence a witness.”
Context: Rising Violence Against Religious Minorities
This horrific episode comes amidst a disturbing trend of rising attacks against religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Ahmadi community. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in its recent annual report Under Siege: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2023-24, highlighted an alarming increase in faith-based violence.
According to the report, over 750 individuals were incarcerated on blasphemy charges as of October 2023. Among these, a disproportionate number targeted Ahmadis. It documented at least four religiously motivated killings—three involving members of the Ahmadi community.
The HRCP also emphasized the growing use of disinformation on social media as the spark behind many blasphemy accusations. Moreover, it noted the frequent misuse of blasphemy laws against Ahmadis, often initiated by law enforcement personnel themselves.
Apart from physical violence, the report cited incidents involving desecration of Ahmadi graves, arbitrary arrests, and increasing threats to Hindu and Christian women in the form of forced conversions.
FAQs for Pakistani Readers
1. Who was Laeeq Ahmad Cheema?
Laeeq Ahmad Cheema was a 46-year-old businessman belonging to the Ahmadiyya community. He was lynched by a mob in Karachi’s Saddar area after allegedly recording a video of a TLP-led attack on a community hall.
2. Why has a Union Council chairman been arrested in this case?
UC Chairman Yasir Akhtari was arrested after being identified via surveillance footage. He is believed to have been actively involved in the incident and has past affiliations with the TLP.
3. Was this incident linked to religious tensions?
While the suspects attempted to present the attack as vigilante justice over a robbery, investigations revealed that it was a planned attack targeting Cheema for being a key witness in a previous TLP-related vandalism case.
4. What does the HRCP report say about violence against Ahmadis?
The HRCP has raised concerns about increasing violence against religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis, highlighting misuse of blasphemy laws, mob justice, and social media disinformation as contributing factors.
5. What is being done to prevent such attacks in the future?
Police are pursuing all leads and have launched raids to apprehend remaining suspects. Human rights organizations are urging reforms in blasphemy laws and better protection for vulnerable communities.
