The Qadiani community decided to celebrate the centenary (100-year anniversary) of their religion worldwide in a grand manner on March 23, 1989. These celebrations were scheduled to begin on March 23, 1989.

On March 20, 1989, the Home Secretary of the Government of Punjab imposed Section 144 across the province, and a ban was placed on the Qadianis’ celebrations.

On March 21, 1989, the District Magistrate of Jhang also issued an order instructing Qadianis to refrain from the following activities:

• Illuminating buildings and premises
• Installing and constructing decorative gates
• Taking out processions and holding gatherings
• Using loudspeakers and megaphones
• Chanting slogans
• Displaying badges, flags, and banners
• Distributing pamphlets, pasting posters on walls, and writing advertisements on walls
• Distributing sweets and serving food to people
• Any activity that may directly or indirectly provoke or hurt the sentiments of Muslims

The activities that were prohibited were those that would be carried out publicly and were likely to provoke a reaction from Muslims. Therefore, these measures were taken to maintain law and order.

Carrying out these activities was also in violation of the “Anti-Qadiani Ordinance,” which could result in a punishment of up to three years, and in some cases, the application of Article 295(c) of the Constitution was also possible.

Based on these restrictions, Qadianis filed cases in the courts, the appeals of which were decided by the Supreme Court and the Federal Shariat Court in 1992–93.

These were historic judgments in which both sides made their utmost efforts. Details of these decisions can be found in the section “Pakistani Laws and Court Judgments Regarding Qadianis” on this website.