Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deepest sorrow at the death of Canadian doctor Mehdi Ali Qamar, who was killed in Pakistan on May 26. We believe that his murder was the result of being a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada community. Ahmadis have long been persecuted and discriminated against by extremist groups in Pakistan.
We truly hope that the Pakistani government takes swift action to stop this senseless violence.
People have the right to freely practise the religion of their choice, and these actions are a clear violation of that right. It is horrific to think that someone can be gunned down in front of their family simply because of their religious beliefs. We cannot tolerate actions such as these.
Canadians call upon the Pakistani government to ensure freedom of worship.
I would like to extend my condolences on behalf of all of us to the family members of Dr. Mehdi at their time of mourning.