ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday expressed alarm and a strong sense of outrage at the continued exodus of religious minority communities from Sindh and Balochistan and said that it speaks volumes of the state’s inability to address concerns of these communities despite repeated reminders by the civil society.
In a statement issued here on Friday, the Commission said: "The state of anger and panic caused by the reports that several hundred Hindu citizens from Sindh and Balochistan were migrating to India has subsided somewhat by the disclosure that they were on a pilgrimage. Most of them said they would return to Pakistan while some said they might not.”
"In any case, reports of Hindu citizens' migration to India have been coming from Sindh and Balochistan fairly regularly,” the rights body observed.
Worryingly, it said that some groups have managed to find sure-fire ways of forcing the minorities to migrate from Pakistan. “Some spokespersons of minorities have argued that vested interests are threatening and frightening the non-Muslim citizens with a view to forcing them to migrate. Some of these elements are said to be religious extremists while others have plans to grab the minorities' property. In any case there is little doubt that the minorities have been driven to despair," the statement added.
The commission noted that "religious minorities' continued migration from Sindh and Balochistan is a reflection of the state's failure to save these citizens from violence, discrimination and disgusting excesses such as forced conversion of young women.” It also noted that television evangelism has become a further cause of discomfort for the minority community. “The live telecast of a recent conversion of a young Hindu man on television is a particularly reprehensible and indefensible manifestation of the attitude towards non-Muslims.”
"HRCP desperately hopes that the government shares its distress in this respect and reiterates its call for the state to address, in consultation with the communities in question, the reasons forcing religious minorities to flee the country. HRCP also urges civil society organisations and the media to keep the spotlight firmly trained on the raw deal these communities are getting. Ahead of the forthcoming elections, the political parties also have an opportunity, through their manifestos, and more than that through their actions now, to articulate their vision for religious minorities in Pakistan," the Commission maintained.
COMMENTS (12)
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Any victim of forced conversion is not going to get benefit of professional psychologist because nobody wants to expose that girl is not pointing the finger at rapist because of Stockholm syndrome.
Human element in Pakistan must realize that this is more insulting to Islam, inspire of drum beat of denials by pulpit possessed, than cartoon of a sick mind.
Migration to India - Not true, they are going on a pilgrimage and return later Conversion to Islam live - It is a stage managed drama to get better rating Forced conversion of young girls - They have all become very wise to realise the "true value" of following Islam
Denialism, thy name is Pakistan.
@Pakistani
I agree with you. Just propaganda. These people are simply vacationing. Sold their homes at half price, packed up all of their belongings and left with their extended families. Simply seeking some well deserved R&R. It was either the beach or India.
Be watchful of Pakistani Media .!
@Whyman security is the reason, economy matters for corporations for simple and labour class only thing which matters is their security and respect, next in line would be ahmedis , christians and shias because this is not Pakistan any more this is talibanistan and their ideology is now ideology of our state and its elements. don't worry one day they will do this and we regret the day when we created them.
I saw interviews of these people on Indian channels and they did hint that they might not come back. Thanks to them they said that even muslims are not very happy in Pakistan.
@ Muhammad Hassan:
You are right it will take more then hundreds thousands years as new Bhuttos and new Sharifs, new Chaudhries and new Gilanis will keep looting the country and keep setting the new records of corruption. This country is destined to be a third word country as Bhuttos and Sharifs, Chaudhries and Gilanis have no stake in this country all their money and investments are overseas and they treat themselves as elite in this already weak and shaken country and economy. Shame on Pakistani people who still vote them
@Whyman: Which will take a couple hundred thousand years...
This is a hypocrite nation which is more concerned over burmese muslim than the native hindu.
Hindu's Are Migrating To India Because Indian Economy Is Better Then Pakistan. People Aways Migrate For Econimic Reasons. Hindu's Will be Migrating Back To Pakistan Once Pakistan Economy Get Better.