KARACHI: A deeply disturbing incident unfolded in the heart of Karachi’s Saddar area on Good Friday, as an individual was reportedly killed during a violent mob attack allegedly orchestrated by hundreds of workers affiliated with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religiopolitical party known for its hardline stance. The assault targeted a place of worship of a religious minority — the Ahmadi community — and aimed to disrupt religious observances, according to police sources.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, speaking to Dawn News, confirmed the gravity of the situation: “Around 400 TLP workers gathered at the hall near the mobile market.” As per the Dawn News report, the gathering quickly descended into chaos, culminating in what authorities have preliminarily classified as a fatal assault.

The event has sparked swift and intense criticism from LEAD Ministries Pakistan, an advocacy group focused on human rights and religious liberty. In a sharply critical statement, the group said it was “shocked” by the assault, labeling it “a breakdown of justice” and “a glaring example of the ongoing involvement of authorities in the targeted oppression of a marginalized population.”

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of LEAD Ministries, was unequivocal in his denouncement of TLP. “Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan is a dangerous religious extremist and violent group in Pakistan,” Gill said. “They are a violent force which can be dangerous for anyone and anywhere, as its associates are spread in many other countries as well.”

LEAD Ministries has appealed to the state to guarantee accountability, underscoring that the offenders must be “promptly located, detained, and brought to trial — without bowing to influence from hardline groups seeking to free those involved.”

The incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of religious minorities and vulnerable groups in Pakistan. This latest tragedy not only underscores the state’s failure to provide protection but also casts a shadow over its commitment to upholding fundamental rights.

As the nation reflects on this Good Friday tragedy, civil society and international observers are once again left asking: How many more lives must be lost before meaningful protections are put in place and justice is no longer delayed?