Gulberg police arrested Abid Hassan Hashmi last Sunday for putting up stickers carrying degrading remarks for the Ahmadiyya community at entrance of his shop at Hafeez Centre. They also registered an FIR against him under Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religious beliefs) of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
It is worth mentioning that such stickers are also seen in public transport, even on the Lahore High Court premises. These are largely ignored by the general public. The move by the district administration and the city police was appreciated widely. However, the very next day, supporters of the shopkeeper came out to protest for their ‘hero’ and moved a bail application for him. The court granted him bail and ordered his release. The same day, large flexes bearing messages against the Ahmadiyya community were put up on the bars on a road fence near Hafeez Centre..
