5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told
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ISLAMABAD: A member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani revealed in the National Assembly on Monday that around 5,000 Hindus are migrating from Pakistan to India every year.
Commenting on law and order situation in the country, the PML-N MNA said that six incidents of religious desecration happened within last two months in Sindh, majority of the incidents were regarding burning the religious books of Hindu minority in the province.
Vankwani said that it was the constitutional rights of the people, belonging to different minorities, to practice their religion freely in Pakistan. “Are we not part of Pakistan?” he questioned.
He said that influential people were forcefully converting religion of Hindu girls in interior Sindh, urging the government to take steps to counter such attempts from Muslim majority in the country.
The PML-N lawmaker also said that it was the teaching of all the religions to respect other faiths but the minorities had failed to get equal rights in Pakistan.
He suggested that the government should set up a parliamentary committee to discuss the issues related to minorities in this regard.
Later, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said the government will ensure the protection of minorities at all cost as it is mentioned in the Constitution of Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Shazia Marri said that sympathies of the militans were present within the political parties’ ranks otherwise it was not difficult to stop terrorist activities in the country.
Marri said that some political leaders called the Pakistani Taliban as their “angry brothers.”
“I pray to God to please protect us from such brothers,” she added.
The PPP leader said that it was the government’s responsibility to focus on the law and order situation for the progress of Pakistan otherwise tourists and investors from foreign countries will not come to the country.
She also urged the government to protect the rights of religious minorities in the country.
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Comments (63) Closed
May 13, 2014 12:34am
We are ashamed and sorry. This is not the pakistan we wanted.
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May 13, 2014 01:15am
What do the minorities (specially the Hindus and sikhs) believe is their fate in Pakistan. They should move out of Pakistan as early as possible.
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May 13, 2014 01:27am
As a Pakistani born, I apologize to Hindu community and all other minorities that have been treated badly. We are paying a big prize for our collective bigotry and I believe that our younger generation is learning from these horrible mistakes and will turn out to be much better human beings.
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May 13, 2014 01:31am
Forced conversion is prohibited in Islam.
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May 13, 2014 01:37am
Frankly, I didn't think we had 5000 Hindus in this country. Where Muslims are not safe what to say of Pakistanis of other faiths.
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May 13, 2014 01:48am
Soon there will only be sunnis left in Pakistan. Low level education will be the order of the day
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May 13, 2014 01:48am
and that is alright with me, every body should be free to move as he/she desires. I moved to US about 30 years ago and that'd ok too.
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May 13, 2014 01:52am
Protecting religious minorities in Pakistan, when the muslim majority being butchered day and night can be an utopian concept.
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May 13, 2014 02:01am
How many muslims from India migrate to Pakistan ?
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May 13, 2014 03:47am
What a sorry state of affairs!
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May 13, 2014 04:21am
Regardless his point of view and self exile, Mr. Hussain should get his NIOP and Passport, if he qualify and submit required
documents. Current government should not be afraid of anything for MQM leader, if he arrive at Karachi.
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May 13, 2014 04:23am
Same.
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May 13, 2014 04:26am
Obviously, they got an excuse to move to a more economically stable place......
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May 13, 2014 04:30am
If Dr. Kumar's statement has correct figures of 5000 Hindus migrating to India each year. It is a shameful migration for current
government, more so, since Dr. Kumar belongs to PML-N and he is one of the MNA in Sind Province of Pakistan. So sad, PM
can not help to protect minorities in Pakistan.
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May 13, 2014 05:59am
What if Muslims in India are faced with same situation and want to leave....I dont think that will be a good thing.
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May 13, 2014 07:12am
People on both sides of the border now have 65 years of experience. Amnesty should be declared for a period so a second migration can take place. Minorities on both sides can decide where they want to live.
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May 13, 2014 07:56am
@Rattan
Good option, I appreciate
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May 13, 2014 08:54am
This has been well known in India for quite some time. But in a sense it is a small step forward for democracy in Pakistan to acknowledge that such unfortunate events are taking place.
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May 13, 2014 09:09am
The overall people of Pakistan should think about humanity before religion; otherwise they will not be treated and respected as a moderate and peace loving nation to the world. If this sort of persecution on minorities will continue, this will damage the image of Pakistanis in general and especially who want to go to abroad for different purposes (for ex.higher studies, jobs.travels etc.) and who are already been staying abroad will feel shy and have to face a lot problems without having any cause. I wish, the open minded and liberal Pakistanis must come in front to protect their minority brothers/sisters.
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May 13, 2014 10:22am
@APakistaniLivinginUS
same or shame?
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May 13, 2014 10:30am
They are welcome here this is there country.
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May 13, 2014 10:47am
Its bad for pakistan - the infighting amongst muslims and now the exodus of Hindu citizens - is alarming & should be taken care of.
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May 13, 2014 11:00am
Not a bad to have a formal exchange of minority population like Turkey and Greece did in 1923.
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May 13, 2014 11:02am
@Rattan plz not another 1947 ????????????????????
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May 13, 2014 11:03am
World has moved forward and these two nations are still stuck in what happened 60-70 years ago. There should be some respect for human beings irrespective of religions. Generations are getting lost in the same old issue. I mean come on, see forward and move forward. You are bound to stumble when you look backwards and try to move forward.
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May 13, 2014 11:17am
@Jatinder You should not talk about Muslims of India, they are part of India & their contribution is very big in India. Dot not relate this problem with Muslims in India.
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May 13, 2014 11:20am
@ali Thanks Ali for bringing humanity first than religion. We are human beings first than Hindu, Christian or Muslims. Our blood is always red & all of us breadth only oxygen.
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May 13, 2014 11:20am
Hope MODI Sarkar will bring them to India, where they can atleast live a decent life...
If for 65 years they are not recognized and treated as sons/daughters of their soil, then it will be better to move...
I read an article regarding a pakistani author visit to india and he was surprised seeing there are no
baricades or security infront of Mosques in India.. and all peaceful.. But they do have security in pakistan.. :) thats the religious freedom we have in India... History Speaks a lot here...
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May 13, 2014 11:20am
@Syed Help in deporting all the hindus at a time with respect & safety.
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May 13, 2014 11:33am
What lies you spread. You taking a leaf out of GEO's book. Please back this up with facts not fiction!
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May 13, 2014 12:32pm
Sindhi Hindus are good in business as well as education and if they leave like this it is big brain drain and loss to the country in long run.
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May 13, 2014 01:31pm
Modi sarkar should bring them to India.. Let them have a peaceful and decent life in India..
After 65 years still they are not recognized and treated as sons/daughters of the soil, so its better to move..
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May 13, 2014 01:38pm
@Jatinder
What about Khalistan Mr. Singh
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May 13, 2014 11:06pm
The best thing that the NGOs can do is to educate these Hindus in Pakistan who are so impoverished in poverty that their only option is to work in these low-paying jobs where they are highly susceptible to abuse and attacks. Their employment structure can be changed by the normal citizens of Pakistan if they truly wish to help them
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May 13, 2014 11:08pm
My advice to anyone who is truly concerned about these people is to atleast once a while make a trip to these interior Sindh areas-which are safe enough mind you for your travel-and make a contribution to the education pursuit of these Hindu families.
Only an educated set of people can emancipate themselves from tyranny as only they will be concious enough to process and realize their freedom.
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May 14, 2014 02:01am
@ali
Agree more than 100%, we warmly thankful to 'Dawn' to publish such religious issue for Pakistani
and Indian brothers and sisters, we have to cope together at both border-sides against the criminals,
maligning our respect before the eyes.We should care to punish the devils with stern hands.This is
vital to sitdown for both regime to hammer a compromise 'deal' instead of business and visiting each
other for country's economical development.its ridiculous for shameful act while we cannot save our
small member of minorities.Shame on us!
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May 14, 2014 02:42am
@ProudtobeanINDIAN
Oh! it was nice to read yr honest comment, why dont you think on reverse, if kind-hearted Modi
group extend hands to treat gracefully,honestly, cleverly, economical-helpfully all minorities equally
to grace the chances of becoming Indian Prime Minister for the year to come! Brood over positively,
my friend, there would be no war and peace agreement like the Euro countries who send their agents
to keep us apart at gulf distance on the slightest pretext to clap on us like two ferocious cats.The
earopeans and their invisibly agents always busy in hatching plans to sow beans between two group
of one country for the years May GOD protect us from their devilish clutch.
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May 14, 2014 10:19am
@Jatinder :they may leave
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May 14, 2014 10:48am
When things get better in Pakistan, 10,000 will come back.
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May 14, 2014 11:36am
Once upon a time these so called minorities were majorities and present majority was minorities. Cruel history.
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May 14, 2014 11:39am
@Zak That means things are not good in Pakistan at least somebody admit that,thanks
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May 14, 2014 11:56am
@asif Not advocating a second 1947 et all.It can be done under UN observers.Will be much better for everyone looking for a safe heaven for their family.It is a known fact that minorities do not enjoy much rights if at all where Muslims are majority.No disrespect to Islam but the ideology does not leave any room for minorities to flourish.One token sikh officer in the PA in 65 years say it all not to mention forced conversions.
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May 14, 2014 11:57am
@Zak
They will all be dead or converted forcefully by then.
No one is beating down doors of Pakistani embassies to go there - instead pakistanis are seeking visaa everywhere and anywhere to just bail out.
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May 14, 2014 11:58am
@Syed
This is what you have created, just don't say this is someone else's fault.
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May 14, 2014 11:59am
@Adil Farooq Tell that to those who have been force fully converted - it will be some consolation. Such nonsense
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May 14, 2014 12:33pm
@Zak
You know, we know and all know that it won't happen ! There ain't any hope for betterment in Pakistan ! Even the utter Optimist believe that there is a no light at the end of this tunnel which Pakistan is crossing !
Still, good luck and I hope one day they go back to live peacefully without forced conversions !
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May 14, 2014 02:23pm
It will be grate if monority of hindus from pakistan will come to India and monority muslim Sunni in India will go to Pakistan.
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May 14, 2014 03:41pm
Hindus is lucky that they have a neighboring Hindu majority country. They can live in peace over there and can prosper. What is the fate of Shias and Ahmadis and Christians? Where should they migrate?
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May 14, 2014 07:24pm
Back home (India)...Pakistan is not a safe place for you at all
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May 14, 2014 07:29pm
wait and see when modi comes to power in india, there will be thousands muslims migrating to pakistan
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May 15, 2014 12:54am
They will not worry about forced conversion of their girls over there at least.
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May 15, 2014 05:26am
@Zak Yea like maybe in a Billion years
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May 15, 2014 08:48am
What about 10,000 sufis and 5,000 Ahmadis and hundreds of Christen fleeing? No media want to cover the plight of Sufis.
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May 15, 2014 10:38am
@Rattan Then India will become Pakistan as many Muslims from both Pakistan and Bangladesh will fill India, though I agree with your idea. There are many secular Pakistanis(Hasan Nissar) who can come to India and all the communals who are fans of Jinnah like Owaisi etc can move to Pakistan who love Pakistan.
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May 15, 2014 11:46am
Pakistan should outsource the handling of Taliban to India. We will fix them, in a month's time max.
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May 15, 2014 03:07pm
Common problem in India and Pakistan, at least Pakistan do not have riots to the scale of India. Mentality of people needs to change
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May 15, 2014 03:28pm
@subhagan thankappan Like the Mughal Empire where the majority ruled but now the minority has taken over and attacks the previous majority.
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May 15, 2014 03:30pm
@subhagan thankappan Ofcourse, because things are bad- in Pakistan we face the truth and our media faces up to it so as to correct it. Unlike in India, where things are bad, but read the Indian media and commentators, denying reality with made up perceptions. Learn from this forum.
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May 15, 2014 04:50pm
@zak ? , please give instnaces
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May 15, 2014 04:58pm
@zak Your source? On what basis are you making these claims?
You will find Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and Jains taking part in every social, economic and political activities in the country. A Parsi who was the solicitor general of India has recently been elevated to the Supreme Court. A Sikh was our Prime Minister for the last ten years and also is the present general our army. The leader of the ruling party is a Roman Catholic and so is the Defense Minister. Many of our Presidents have been Muslims and even our present External Affairs Minister is a Muslim. Please tell me if in Pakistan you have people of the minority community occupying such important positions?
There are reservations given to backward Muslim communities in Indian universities and even in government jobs so as to bring all backward communities, including Hindus, Sikhs Christians and Budhhists, at par with the rest of the society. Reservations of any kind for Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistani colleges and government jobs?
India is the only country where close to 200 million Muslims, belonging to various sects, can peacefully recite the Namaz without any disruption. Any other country where so many Muslims, belonging to different sects can peacefully pray without any discrimination.
Also please note that the Indian government provides a subsidy for Haj and every passport office has separate counters for people applying for a passport or renewal of their passport for Haj, so that their application can be processed quickly.
Does Pakistan provide any such provision to its minorities for travel to say Amritsar for the Sikhs and for even one of the four dhaams for Hindus?
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May 15, 2014 06:55pm
I request Pakistani government to take necessary steps to ensure that all Hindus and Sikhs are repatriated to India safely.
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May 15, 2014 07:40pm
The statistics provided by the concerned minister are not based on any credible information. There is no record of Pakistani Hindu Nationals migrating to India. However, approximately, 300 to 500 Hindu pilgrims do visit India on weekly basis. I will request the honourable minister to present credible facts and figures in the National Assembly. Additionally, Hindu population residing in Pakistan is very much part and parcel of our Nation.
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May 16, 2014 01:25am
@Ajay vikram Singh Let's first fix the Maoists and corruption for now... :P
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