Ashraf assures Hindus of allaying concerns

ISLAMABAD:

The Majlis-e-Shoora, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday expressed solidarity with all minority communities, including Hindus, reaffirming their legal rights enshrined in the Constitution.

The session was held to address various issues, including concerns raised by Senator Danesh Kumar of the Balochistan Awami Party about the deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh.

The speaker apprised the joint sitting of parliament about the alarming situation in the Kachcha areas of Sindh, where dacoits were posing a serious threat to the Hindu community.

These dacoits had targeted the community's properties and lives, causing fear and hindering their ability to practice religious rituals freely.

The senator sought the speaker's ruling on the matter, urging the government to take immediate action.

In response, Speaker Ashraf assured the Hindu community of full support, emphasising that they should not live in fear, as it was the state's responsibility to ensure their safety and protect their rights.

MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz echoed the sentiment, highlighting that all believers of different faiths were equal citizens of the state.

He urged the government to protect the Hindu community and take decisive action against the dacoits in the province to restore law and order.

MNA Akbar Ali Chitrali of the Jamaat-e-Islami reiterated that all citizens of Pakistan were equal under the Constitution, stressing that any threat posed to bona fide citizens, such as the Hindu community, was a threat to the Constitution itself.

He assured the Hindu community that Muslims stood in solidarity with them and would provide unwavering support.

MNA Ghous Bux Mahar of the Grand Democratic Alliance also raised concerns over the law and order situation in Sindh, expressing reservations about the current system of government.

Meanwhile, MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhail of the Pakistan Peoples Party condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark, calling on the government to take appropriate measures to address such incidents at the international level.

He urged Western countries to take practical steps to prevent such occurrences, as they caused immense mental agony among Muslims worldwide.

He demanded of the government to send those countries’ ambassadors home where such disrespectful acts had taken place.

The Majlis-e-Shoora pledged to protect the rights of minorities, ensuring a secure and peaceful environment for all citizens, irrespective of their faith.

It expressed the hope that the issues raised by members would be given due consideration, and the government would take prompt action to address their concerns. APP