Pakistan: Information on whether "Ahmadi" or "non-Muslim" is written in a passport issued to an Ahmadi in the section for "religion"; and on whether "non-Muslim" is used specifically for Ahmadis or if it is also used in the passports of Christians, Sikhs and other religious minorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK20118.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Information on whether "Ahmadi" or "non-Muslim" is written in a passport issued to an Ahmadi in the section for "religion"; and on whether "non-Muslim" is used specifically for Ahmadis or if it is also used in the passports of Christians, Sikhs and other religious minorities, 1 March 1995, PAK20118.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac563.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the eastern regional representative of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Canada located in Cumberland, Ontario, "Ahmadi" is no longer written in a Pakistani passport issued to a member of the Ahmadi community (22 Mar. 1995). Instead, the term "non-Muslim" is used in the section reserved for "religion", despite the fact that Ahmadis consider themselves to be Muslim (ibid.). Ahmadis refer to themselves as "Ahmadi Muslims" and would prefer to be described as such (ibid.). The representative did not know if the term "non-Muslim" is also used in the passports of Christians, Sikhs or members of other religious minorities in Pakistan (ibid.).
According to the attachment from section 2(c), "Freedom of Religion" of Country Reports 1994, the Pakistani government "classifies Ahmadis as 'non-Muslim' on their passports" (1994, n.p.).
Information on whether the term "non-Muslim" is written in the Pakistani passports of Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and members of other religious minorities in Pakistan could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
Please consult the attached passport application form and information sheet, effective 1 May 1993, provided to the DIRB by the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Ottawa for the information requested when making an application.
According to the attachments from State of Human Rights in Pakistan 1993, The Ethnic NewsWatch and Country Reports 1994, there is a campaign at present in Pakistan to declare Baluchistan's Zikris to be "non-Muslim" (HRCP 1994, 48; 3 June 1994; 1995). None of these sources, however, mention whether or not the term "non-Muslim" would be written in the passports issued to Zikris, if ever Zikris were to be officially classified as non-Muslim by the Pakistani government.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Canada, Cumberland, Ontario. 22 March 1995. Telephone interview with representative for the eastern region.
Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (electronic version received from Resource Information Centre, INS, US)
The Ethnic NewsWatch [Stamford, Conn.]. 3 June 1994. "Pakistan Still Divided by Sectarian Conflicts." (NEXIS)
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). 1994. State of Human Rights in Pakistan 1993. Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Attachments
Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (electronic version received from Resource Information Center, INS, US)
The Ethnic NewsWatch [Stamford, Conn.]. 3 June 1994. "Pakistan Still Divided by Sectarian Conflicts." (NEXIS)
High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ottawa. 24 March 1995. Fax sent to the DIRB.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). 1994. State of Human Rights in Pakistan 1993. Lahore: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, p. 48.
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. Yearly. 1994.
The Europa World Year Book. Yearly. 1994.
Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly. 1995.
Oral sources.
