E/CN.4/1995/91 page 73 3. These provisions clearly indicate that the Constitution provides full protection and equal treatment to the minorities and there is no bias, for or against, on the basis of colour, race or religion. 4. The attack on the three accused, Remat Masih, Salamat Masih and Manzoor Masih, was a regrettable, but isolated action of fanatic individuals, one of whom has been arrested, while efforts are under way to arrest the two remaining accused. The allegations of fears of religious persecution against Ministries in Pakistan are unfounded. 5. As Pakistani citizens, members of the Christian community have the right to profess their religion, and to establish, maintain and manage their religious institutions. They also have due representation in the National Assembly. They enjoy full freedom of opinion and expression, as is available to the other citizens of the country and, like all other Pakistanis, they have the liberty to seek remedy from the courts under article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Courts in Pakistan, like in any other democratic country, are free, and cases are decided in accordance with the laws of the land. 6. The Ahmadiyya issue has a century-old history. The problem arose when a group of persons led by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad denied the finality of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) which, after the unity of God, is a fundamental tenet of Islam. Its denial led to violent agitations against the Ahmadiyya community in 1953 and in 1974. The matter was deliberated upon in the legislature and the consensus of the nation was arrived at in the shape of an amendment in the Constitution through a unanimous vote of the National Assembly in 1974. This amendment had two objectives: (a) To safeguard the religious sentiments of Muslims (the overwhelming majority of the population); (b) To protect the Ahmadis from any adverse reaction arising from what had historically been regarded as a repudiation of a fundamental belief of the Muslims. 7. Undoubtedly, the controversy between the Ahmadis and Muslims continues to be emotive, but strong statements made by individuals in a religious context are not to be taken as the policy of the Government of Pakistan. The complaints and concerns of the Ahmadiyya community are based evidently on presumption rather than fact. The allegation concerning persecution of Ahmadis is totally baseless. 8. The Ahmadis, as a non-Muslim minority, have been accorded all the rights and privileges guaranteed to minorities under the Constitution and laws of Pakistan. The Government has taken the necessary legislative and administrative measures so as to maintain sectarian peace. 9. The exercise of a right is never absolute. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, while proclaiming the freedom of religion or belief in article 18, stipulates in paragraph 3 of the same article that: