Minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs and Smaller Muslim Sects 'NOT safe' in Pakistan: Defence Minister Khwaja Asif
- In Reports
- 03:28 PM, Jun 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged that minorities are experiencing "targeted violence in the name of religion". Speaking during a national assembly session, Asif expressed concern over the killings of minorities in Pakistan, stating that they are not safe under the guise of Islam.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged on Monday that minorities in the country are facing "targeted violence in the name of religion". Speaking in a national assembly session, Asif highlighted that minorities are being killed daily and are not safe under the guise of Islam. He expressed frustration over opposition parties blocking his efforts to address minority safety, noting that Pakistan is facing global embarrassment over the issue, as reported by Dawn.
Asif pointed out that despite constitutional protections, religious minorities in Pakistan are not safe. He called for a resolution to safeguard marginalised communities and noted that many victims, with no links to blasphemy allegations, were targeted due to personal vendettas.
"Even smaller Muslim sects are not safe in Pakistan, which is a disgraceful situation," Asif said. "We intend to propose a resolution to protect minorities. While our constitution guarantees minority rights, there are incidents where those killed had no evidence linking them to blasphemy; rather, these killings seem to stem from personal vendettas."
Hindus, Sikhs, and other minorities in Pakistan consistently face issues such as forced conversions, abductions, murders, and attacks on their religious sites, according to reports by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Human Rights Watch.
The Ahmadiyya community experiences severe persecution, dealing with legal restrictions on their religious practices, hate speech, and violent assaults. They are regularly targeted because of their faith, with such incidents reported nationwide, as noted by Dawn.
Christians face discrimination in employment, education and are frequently accused of blasphemy, which often results in mob violence and attacks on churches. This community remains vulnerable to both societal and legal persecution.
Pakistan's legal system discriminates against religious minorities, increasing their marginalisation and vulnerability. The blasphemy laws are frequently misused to target minorities, leading to arbitrary arrests, violence, and societal ostracisation.
Image source: PTI
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