Pakistan is an extremely diverse society with various ethnic and religious minorities embedded in its culture. The constitution reckons all the citizens of the country as equal. Article 25 of the Constitution maintains “All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law”. Article 36 states “The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.”

Besides, in the words of the Father of the Nation “You are free; free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques, or to any other place of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State...We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of our State.” The dignified aim of the founder of the country has been disrespected over the years by the potent elites for their vested interests.

Minorities are confronting a number of serious issues — inferiority complex, ignorance, and weak understanding of the constitution. In Pakistan the number of Hindus alone was reduced to 1.6 per cent in 1999 as compared to 20 per cent when Pakistan was created. The representation of the minorities at all ranks has been negligible.

The estimated population of minorities in Pakistan is Ahmadis 4,000,000, Hindus 3,200,000, Christians 2,800,000, Baháí Faith 30,000-78,000, Sikhs 20,000, Zoroastrians 20,000, Buddhists 70,000, including others. The number of minorities residing in Sindh is quite considerable with almost all religious minorities bieng represented in the province.

In Sindh the condition of the minorities is no better than that of those living in different parts of the country, particularly the Hindu community comprising Kolhis, Bheels, Meghwars, etc. They live under difficult conditions without any access to human rights. The number of poor in these communities is extremely high. The saddest part is that they are illiterate, as a result of which they don't know about their constitutional rights and live in misery.

The government should urgently do something for the minorities. All human beings are equal and should be treated as equal.

MURTAZA TALPUR
Badin