Sindhi-American activist exposes Pakistan's religious persecution

Pakistan was left embarrassed at the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on ‘Human Rights in South Asia’ on Tuesday when a Sindhi-American activist Fatima Gul opined that religious persecution was a salient feature of that country. Mentioning that Pakistan was the only nation that has passed legislation against its own citizens, Gul elaborated that minorities such as Hindus, Christians, Balochs, Shias, Ahmedies were continuously victimised. Furthermore, she stated that Pakistan ranked as the sixth most dangerous country for women. Gul also talked about rampant forced conversion and child sexual abuse.  

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She observed, "Religious persecution remains a salient feature of Pakistan. Hindus, Christians, Ahmedis, Shias, Balochs continued to be victimised by religious extremists who operate with the government impunity. Pakistan is the only country in the world that legislated against its own citizens." Gul added, "Pakistan ranks as the sixth most dangerous country for women in regards to violence and rape. According to Human Rights Watch, child sexual abuse remains disturbingly common in Pakistan. Around 141 cases have been reported just in Lahore in Punjab province of Pakistan. In the first half of 2018, according to the police reports, more than 1000 Hindu girls have been abducted and converted to Islam. Nearly, a 33% rise in child abuse cases has been witnessed in the country.” 

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'Full review of the human rights situation'

Gul raised specific instances of violence against minorities. She highlighted the attack in Ghotki town of Sindh province on September 15 in which houses of Hindus and temples were attacked. This happened on the premise that a Sindhi Hindu professor named Notan Lal had committed blasphemy. Noting that he was taken into custody despite enough evidence, she accused the Pakistani media of conveniently blacking out the coverage of this incident. Furthermore, the Sindhi-American activist observed that since the 1990s, about 70 people have been killed for blasphemy and around 40 people are currently serving life sentences. Some others are facing the death penalty. Concluding her remarks, she called upon Pakistan to allow a comprehensive review of the human rights situation. 

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"The country should allow journalists and other human rights organizations to take into account the full review of the human rights situation there," she opined. 

(With ANI inputs)

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