one day provinvcial consultation...

ONE DAY PROVINVCIAL CONSULTATION ON

“MAINSTREAMING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN”

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance

comes when we are in the majority. Ralph W. Sockman

PROGRAM MANAGER: Zehra Bano. REPORT COMPILED AND AUTHORED BY: Hina Ahmed, under supervision of Asim Zubair, Executive director, Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP).

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Mainstreaming religious minorities in Pakistan

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Besides Allah, for providing us this opportunity to highlight the problems of our

minority brothers, Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP) owes bundle of thanks to

CPD (Center for peace and development) and its management for enabling us to

interact with vulnerable community of Pakistan from the seven districts across Sindh

and also for supporting us in conducting this provincial level consultation. We also

wish to thank the participants and our esteemed speakers for providing their valuable

input.

FHRP is committed to promote justice, equality and peace in our society.


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DISCLAIMER

Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP) is not responsible for the authenticity of the

facts and figures that have been provided by the speakers except for those that were

shared by FHRP staff. This report is only a compilation of the views and measures that

were suggested by the attendants and were proposed by the speakers.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Prologue……………………………………………5

2. Objectives…………………………………….6

3. Target Districts……………………..7

4. List of Speakers…………………………………….8

5. Anil Parkash- District Sanghar…………………………13

6. Kanji Malh- District Mirpurkhas………………………16

7. Abdul Reham Okho – District Tharparkar………………18

8. Shameim Kazmi………………………………….21

9. Eindar Ahuja…………………………………………….27

10. Hout Chand Karmani……………………………………….30

11. Zahid Farooque……………………..33

12. Fazil Channa- District Umerkot……………………37

13. Bharat- District Umerkot……………………………………..39

14. Jawed Naik – District Badin………………………………42

15. Abdul Latif Zargan – District Badin ……………………..45

16. Faryad Gill – District Hyderabad …………………….47

17. Zeeshan Laghari – District Mirpurkhas……………………..50

18. Majid Arisar – District Tando AllahYar………………..53

19. Manhla Sharma ……………………………..55

20. Pitembar Sewani………………….60

21. Shahjehan Baloch……………………………61

22. Declaration…………………………65

23. Quratul Aine Rizwan……………………………67

24. Annex I- Presentation of FHRP……………..68

25. Annex II- Project based presentation: religious minorities…..70


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PROLOGUE

Religious minorities and indigenous peoples in Pakistan are struggling with serious

problems such as discrimination, cultural assimilation, political oppression, exclusion

from development plans, forced conversion and restrictions on the use of their religious

education, language and the lack of democratic participation.

The religious minority, constitute an anomaly within the discourse of national identity in Pakistan. They become an anomaly because their existence as citizens of Pakistan highlights the contradictions within the theory that the State of Pakistan was created for the Muslims of the Indian Sub-continent. After the Partition, the Hindus living in Pakistan have become a reminder that Pakistan was once a part of the multicultural and multi-ethnic Sub-continent. Therefore, as a non-Muslim minority, the Hindus have been rendered invisible so that the official narrative of the majority religion as a marker of national identity can be mobilized and validated. Pakistan’s official ideology constructs the Muslim subjects of the State as the only valid

group of citizens. The State is supposed to be an instrument of equality for all citizens.

By declaring itself an Islamic Republic, the State in Pakistan has deployed major

technologies of social and economic inequality against its non-Muslim subjects. The

constitution itself has become discriminatory because it patronizes the faith of the

majority as the only valid faith. People belonging to other religious communities, if

religion can be considered as a dominant marker of identity, cannot hold any major and

publicly influential administrative posts.

Hindus are the largest religious minority in Sind and the most invisible. Christians, who

are the second largest religious minority, are the most visible of the minorities. Parsis,

and Sikhs and non-religious people are the smallest minorities. These religious

minorities are the native species of Sind province but facing discrimination at all level

including economic, social, political and legal, they are living as second class citizen of

the country, immediate attention is needed to mainstream rights of minority citizens in

Pakistan.


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OBJECTIVE

This provincial consultation with representatives of the religious minorities from the

target districts was arranged to highlight the issues of religious minorities before policy

makers, legislators, general public, civil society organsiations, tribal and religious

leaders, political leaders and media so that they may learn about the problems minority

is facing in these areas and play their expected to role to prevent or assist minorities in

removing their distress and convey their voice to the authorities who are responsible for

taking actions for their welfare.

Another objective with which this provincial consultation was held was to bring

minorities together on a platform so they can develop a network and contacts with each

other for future action with support from each other.

An e-copy of the report would be sent to all the participants including attendants and

speakers who left their email addresses on our attendance sheets besides the concerned

government officials and departments to acknowledge the problems of minorities

before them since they reserve legislative powers and can implement the suggested

measures. This report would also be sent to the stakeholders with the sincere intent of

staying transparent and keeping them involved at the relevant steps while ensuring

them that their concerns and problems have been conveyed just as they were voiced.


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TARGET DISTRICTS

= Target Districts

Consultative workshops, sensitization workshops, district level seminars,

capacity building workshops for human right activists, capacity building

workshops for media reporters and IEC materials dissemination like activities

were conducted in all seven marked districts of Sindh with collaboration of CPD

Sindh, prior to this provincial level consultation.


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SPEAKERS: IN ORDER OF SPEECH

FIRST HALF

HINA TABASSUM Forum for Human Rights Pakistan Moderator of the ceremony

HINA AHMED Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP)

Presentation: See Annex I

HINA ANSARI Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP) Presentation: See Annex II

ANIL PARKASH District: Sanghar

KANJI MALH District: Mirpurkhas

ABDUL KARIM OKHO District: Tharparkar

SHAMEIM KAZMI President Association Business Professional Agricultural Women


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EINDAR AHUJA Board Member Human Right Commission of Pakistan

HOUT CHAND KARMANI General Secretary Pakistan Hindu Council

ZAHID FAROOQUI Programme Director - Urban resource Center


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SECOND HALF

FAZIL CHANNA District: Umerkot

BHARAT District: Umerkot

JAWED NAIK District : Badin

ABDUL LATIF ZARGAN District: Badin

FARYAD GILL District: Hyderabad

ZEESHAN LAGHARI District: Mirpurkhas

MAJID ARISAR Tando AllahYar


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MANGLA SHARMA Co. Chairperson- International committee for Peace and harmony

PITEMBAR SEWANI Ex MPA & Member All Hindu Panchayat Sindh

SHAHJEHAN BALOCH Program Manager Action AID Sindh and Balochistan

QURATUL AINE RIZWAN Forum for Human Rights Pakistan (FHRP)


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FIRST HALF: MAINSTREAMING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN


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ANIL PARKASH

DISTRICT SANGHAR

Whatever is happening with the minority is a preplanned

act. They (Feudal lords, Aristocrats) have their interests

vested in all that is being done in the name of religion.

Minority’s scheduled caste is in deplorable state in terms

of education and financial condition, yet a few of those

who manage to get education and are struggling to

flourish are tortured mentally and physically by them

through ill acts as extortion, abduction, seizing their

lands illegally and underhandedly by baseless claims as the certain piece of land

belonged to their (Feudal, Aristocrats) forefathers before they (minority) took over it and

started living there. If they (minority) try to sell their lands, others are directed not to

buy it so that feudal can get it for free.

Owing to same reasons minority, particularly scheduled caste is expatriating from

District Mirpur Khas to India, seeking permanent residence there. Then it’s said that our

rights are reserved, no doubt! They are. But! In the constitution only for, reality is

contrary to what the books and constitution holds regarding our rights.

MNAs and MPAs that represent minority in the assembly belong to the upper caste of

Hindus. They are least aware of and interested to solve our (scheduled caste) problems.

They get elected on the votes of the scheduled castes but when it comes to our welfare

they are least bothered and concerned. They prefer personal welfare over ours even

when they are financially sound and hold running business setups. Their conscience is

deep asleep like some hung over person.

We do not want our representation to be done from the upper caste of Hindus. Their

seats should be cancelled and quotas for representatives of scheduled castes should be

reserved in the assembly so our true representatives from among us may go ahead,

highlight our issues and get our problems solved. Another issue that must be

highlighted here is that minority’s reserved seats are sometimes awarded to the Sikh

minority. Now Sikhs are not Hindus. It is a major fault. Minority’s seats should be

reserved with respect to the ratio of their representation in the entire population.

When we approach our MNAs and MPAs with our problems they simply tell us

they’ve paid to get the seats in assembly. Our votes did no good in this regard.

Sometimes, they are also under pressure by the influential and fedual of the area who

restrict them (MNAs, MPAs) from working for the scheduled caste. If I am given the

chance to represent my community I would not care for the results and threats but


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work for my people and get them their rights.

In Sanghar, there is a 60 years old church that has religious and historical importance

both for Christian minority and Pakistan itself. Now one of the tribes of the area called

‘Nizamani Tribe’ have capture half of the land that makes up the entire area of the

Church. They have built their residence there. The Christian community despite of

being disquieted about it, cannot lodge an FIR because they think if they do, another

incident like Badami Bagh would fall to their lot.

Scheduled caste is among the poorest in the nation. Now they cannot even afford the

fee of the government educational institutes. Their children cannot get fancy degrees as

B.A, M.A or B.B.A. Their fee should be waived off. Now employment is another

problem since people are not hired on basis of merit but on account of how much they

can pay for buying a job; jobs are sold. One of my friends came up with the offer of

getting a government job for myself as a clerk. He asked for 2 lacs as bribe. A farmer, a

laborer, a person with a white collar job, who is already not earning enough cannot pay

this much. Then of course they (suborner) turn to feudal, people with money. They do

not even take exams for the government jobs. They bribe people to appear in place of

them. When such incompetent people buy jobs, they do not work and then again it

comes down in form of oppression over the poor and deprived section of the society.

One more problem that is not just the issue perturbing minority but majority too, is the

issue of security of life and properties. When Hindus are hectored they have the option

to leave the country and move somewhere their religion is practiced by the majority but

what about the poor majority in Pakistan. What option do they have? None! Then they

just stay in there and bear injustice.

I also want to bring your attention to the issue related to the sacred verses of Holy

Quran that are printed in the text books. After students pass out for the next class they

dispose their books off that are often found lying on roads, retail barrows and

sometimes in trash which is utter disrespect of the Holy Books, may it be of any

religion. I always forbid my son from trashing his course books and tell him to either

keep them with respect or give them (books entailing Quranic verses) to me so I may

dispose them off with due veneration by casting it in flowing water. Irreverence of these

Holy verses by trashing them like this results in incidents of disrespect and sacrilege

where minority people are essentially targeted. I suggest that history must be taught

instead of religion. People must be educated to become tolerant and civilized and not

violent.

Talking of intolerance, I can recall an incident that occurred recently in Tando Adam

during Holi, the religious festival of Hindu community. One of the clerics (Maulvi) of


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the area who often used to indulge in alcohol in company of this boy, in the

neighbourhood, he (cleric) assaulted him (boy) for smearing colored powder on him

(cleric) while celebrating Holi. It started mob fight based on disregarding religious value

of Muslims. The cleric got hurt while fighting and lodged FIR against that boy. The

matter did not end here. The angry mob approached him (the boy) back at home and

beat him severely. So much that he could not be treated in T.M. Khan’s hospital. He was

then taken to Hyderabad for treatment. FIR against the cleric was lodged after the boy

was thrashed.

Now the point to ponder here is that religious values stay revered when a person drinks

but not when your minority acquaintance put some color on you out of spirit of the

religious festival.

Majority of our people, I’d say, almost 95% of them, consume country/local liquor (desi

sharab), be it people from majority or minority. I question our government here why are

the minority issued permits to sell alcohol? It’s also not mentioned anywhere in Vidas

or Dharma that we may drink or gamble. In fact, I think no religion permits that. I hold

government responsible for all societal evils that are caused due to use of alcohol and I

suggest that its use and business, both should be banned for minorities as well.

Now if we discuss employment; scheduled caste seems deprived and hapless here too.

The 5% quota on jobs that is reserved for the minority has never been granted. One of

my friends, Dr. Mr. Saroop Chand, was the member of PPP before Mohtarma (Benazir

Bhutto) was assassinated. He told me that although Mohtarma did not nominate him for

any seat in the assembly but she had said that she would resolve our issues if we tell

them to her. I got the same request conveyed to her (Benazir Bhutto) about either

granting the reserved quota or increase the number of reserved seats in the quota.

Afterwards, the same request could be not fulfilled because her secretary suggested her

that if only the quota would be granted there would be thousands of job opportunities

created for the minority that could not even be fulfilled and would remain vacant.

I plead you to convey this matter to the higher authorities so that the people from

scheduled caste may be mainstreamed and become financially empowered.


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KANJI MALH

DISTRICT MIRPURKAS

I would start from quoting articles from the

constitution of Pakistan. Article 25 says that all

citizens are equal in the eye of law whereas article

36 that is particularly about minority rights convey

that it is state’s responsibility that they guarantee

protection of minorities and safeguard the legal

rights and interests of minority with regard to their

due representations in both provincial and federal

services. Constitution entails many such

encouraging and positive points but never are such

actions taken.

The burning issue of my district is related to the bonded labors. Under the bonded labor

system (abolition) act of 1992 vigilance committees should be formed in each district but

there exist no such committees at all that can protect the rights of the labors. These

bonded labours who majorly include ‘Bhatta mazdoor’ (brick klin workers) are not the

registered workers. They work out of fear, coercion and threat. Then to get themselves

free they go to courts, enter petition and then do they acquire freedom but it results in

financial disempowerment. They have no opportunities to earn. This dis-empowers

them and increases unemployment. There is a dire need that we pay attention to this

problem. Another issue is the presence of dormant acts that are not implemented which

includes Sindh Tenancy Act 1950. It should be implemented and acted upon. Another

such distressing issue is that of forced marriage too, that has not even been discussed in

the Hindu Marriage Act. Only recently another 15 year old Hindu girl Sangeeta Menghi

was abducted by Babu Khan, an influential, in District Mirpurkhas’s town “Kot Ghulam

Muhammad”. FIR against him could not be lodged. It is a matter of shame and sorrow

for us.

Another proposition that I would like to make here, particularly to the Government of

Pakistan, through your forum, would be that Public Holidays should be announced on

religious event/occasions of Minorities. It would be a positive gesture by the state that

would garner positive feelings in the hearts of the minorities. And incidents as that

happened in Sindh University on the day of Holi should not occur at all. We should be

given the right to celebrate our Holi festivals freely, as the majority does. Hindu

students of Sindh University were stopped by the law enforcing agencies by use of force

and violence on direction of the management for celebrating Holi in the premises of

university. I condemn this act of keeping minority from celebrating our religious event.


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Issue of land reforms is also an area of concern for the religious minorities. It should

also be paid attention to. Apart from that, minorities are not given representation on the

general seats in assemblies even from the areas where they are in sufficient number.

According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) there are about 28 lacs registered

votes of minorities out of which 14 lac voters are from the Hindu community. Majority

of them (Hindu Community) reside in Sindh with 49% of them dwelling in Umer kot,

46% in district Tharparkar, 35% in Mirpurkhas and 33% in Tando Allahyar.


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ABDUL REHMAN OKHO

DISTRICT THARPARKAR

District Tharparkar, of Pronvince Sindh, that is

also sometimes called Thar, by location makes up

the border of Pakistan where it meets India on the

eastern side while touches Great Rann of Kutch in

the South. It is the only district in Pakistan where

the Non Muslims reside in greater number, in

comparison. There are 46% registered voters from

minority in Thar. I feel, the problem that is

hindering the progress of minority in Thar is due

to the Caste system in Hindu religion that divides

Hindus in ‘oonch zaat’ (upper caste) and ‘neech zaat’ (scheduled caste). The scheduled

caste is the most deprived and discriminated against, in fact the upper caste of Hindus

also look down upon them.

Tharparkar is a vast, sabulous, and famine stricken arid zone of Pakistan. It is extended

up to 22,000 km with 2,325 thousand villages populating it. The overall population of

Tharparkar i.e. up to 95% lives in villages. These villages are in their worst conditions

and deprived of the basic facilities of living. In such a scenario it is out of the question to

talk about provision of education. However, in terms of brotherhood, I am proud to

share that there has been no fights, issues and clashes between the Hindu and Muslim

communities based on religion. In fact we live in harmony there and share each others’

sorrow and celebrate our festivals and happiness together. Hindu minority is not afraid

to celebrate Holi on roads and the Muslim community does not mind it. In fact we

(Muslims) consider it (Holi) a fine custom of their religion and respect it.

Coming back to highlighting the problems of the scheduled castes in Tharparkar; I hold

poverty and illiteracy the main causes behind miserable economic and social status of

the Bheel, Meghwar and Kholi communities. Since there is no education consequently

there are no opportunities of employment. In our villages, provision of education is a

fantasy because of no check and balance from the government over the schools and the

condition they’re (schools) kept in. Now the education related problems vary in nature

in every village. Where there are schools, there are no teachers; where you find teachers,

there will be no students; if you find students, there are no learning spaces and those

buildings that exist, are in execrable conditions; where there are buildings there are no

teachers. In some villages, if there are ten willing students to learn there would be five

teachers there; in some villages where two hundred students want to acquire education,

there will be just one teacher available. There is no concept of proper management and


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provision of resources as per the need. Resources are either scarce or if they are

available, there is no one to avail them.

I agree to what Saeen Anil (Sir Anil) said before about minorities getting elected on

reserved seats only and never on the general seats. Moreover, those who are elected to

represent non Muslims, belong to the upper class only. They (upper class) are those who

do not understand the issues and problems that scheduled caste faces and bears, being a

part of the caste system that disregards scheduled caste labeling them ‘neech’ (lowest

Hindu caste). Here I would like mention that in Tharparkar, the poor and hapless, does

not just include the Hindu community but people from the Muslim community too but

they are comparatively in a better state than the minority.

Due to lack of facilities and absence of basic infrastructure in the district, the people of

Tharparkar have forcibly become nomads. They reside in one location for 4 or 5 months

till the water is available. Once the water reserve ends that is the time they move again.

These nomads include people from both Hindu and Muslim communities; they leave

Tharparkar in the times of drought and due to famine and move to district Sanghar,

Badin, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad. Although we all know that Tharparkar is a drought

stricken region but nothing has been done to store water for the population. There are

no dams, no canal systems that water could be stored for people’s use. This all becomes

the reason their children cannot acquire education since they are always moving from

one place to another in search of water of their survival.

All these problems are contributing to their miserable condition. Poverty is increasing

everyday and there seems no hope that the situation would soon change.

Governments change, new faces appear with little or no intention of changing the fate

of people in distress, who elect them. They (government) conduct surveys, they visit our

areas, make promises, announce relief plans but nothing happens in the end.

No serious measures have been taken to resolve their (minorities) problems. These

people have been wandering from one district to another since many years but nothing

has been done to provide them a permanent residence where basic infrastructure of

living would be built. Jobs could be provided. There is a need to establish an entire city

and then develop it so they can then think of their other needs as in education and

progress. At this point when people are talking about representation is assemblies these

people are still struggling to get water, to get food, to manage shelter. They are

struggling to survive each day.

I heard them (attendants of conference) saying people are expatriating due to the same

reasons but only upper class has this option not the people from scheduled caste that

are poor. They do not even have enough money to arrange two times meal a day, how


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would they arrange the Visa fee and expenses of travelling. Even if they wanted to

move away they cannot. Thus, they are craunched to face the harsh realities of their

nomadic life that is due to the heartlessness of those who are sitting in the assemblies

right now and are not concerned.

I urge all the concerned entities, government, elected officials, civil societies and all the

human rights forums to pay attention to the problems of the people of Tharparkar. And,

work for the collective good and not just the Muslims or the Hindu community because

our problems are the same.


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SHAMEIM KAZMI

President Association Business Professional Agricultural Women

Whatever the details have been shared by far and the speeches made, represent only the

Hindu community. I think Christian community should have utilized the same

platform and shared their issues as well. The presentation that was shared before

regarding the census information clearly depicts misleading figures and facts. Only the

Christian and Hindu community have been given the clear status and their population

has been mentioned in numbers. What about Parsis, they may be very less in number

but they are a part of our population and are being counted under the head of “all

others” with Ahmadi’s.

When Pakistan and India came into being massive migration took place. People from

Pakistan moved to India and vice versa. In all this exercise, many chose to stay where

they belonged. It includes, both, Muslims in India and Hindus and Christians in

Pakistan. These are the people, I believe, who are devoted patriots. How can you say

they are not Pakistanis? They are Pakistanis! True Pakistanis! They chose this country at

the time when they clearly had the choice to move but they chose not to. Now, it is our

responsibility to work for their welfare and respect them as an equal citizen.

My brothers from Sanghar, Mirpur Khas and Tharparkar highlighted their issues

related to ‘Zan, Zar aur Zameen’ (refers to; Zan: fight/dispute over woman, Zar: greed for

wealth and Zameen: dispute over land and property). Now these problems are not any

different from those that the Muslim Majority is dealing with. Aren’t poor Muslim

women abducted? You would find countless examples of it, alone in Sindh. Many

Muslim and Christian girls are kidnapped over the same issues that are perturbing you

(Hindu minority). In my view, it is through and through a ‘Tabqati Jung’ (fight among

minority and majority of the socio economic strata) and we all are a part of this struggle,

both you (minority) and me (majority). However, this struggle is that of a double edged

sword for you (minority).

I have recently visited many rural areas in Sindh where I learnt of many murder cases

and abductions of not just the doctors and professionals from the Hindu community

but those of Muslims’ too. Now if you ponder over what has recently been happening

in Karachi, you would understand what I am trying to tell you. Look at the Shiite

community; how they are being killed right and left. Their scholars, doctors, engineers,

and professionals all are the victims of the same (Tabqati jung). Not even the females are

spared of this socio economic strata based war; it is the first time ever that any female

social activist has been killed. Perveen Rehman of the Orangi pilot project, she was

murdered owing the same. My point, here, is, that it is not the problem of just the

minorities. We all are the victims of it. But the difference that I see is that at least our


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problems are heard and sometimes, paid attention to whereas yours go unheard.

My brothers here mentioned that their FIRs do not get lodged. What to talk of it. I have

seen and met many Muslim women making hue and cry over the oppression of the

affluent of the area who were making their lives harder every day. Their FIRs are never

lodged, too. We all are being squelched in this entire stratified war of the society. This is

the war of the haves and the have-nots, deprivation and achievements, the poor and the

wealthy in the society. Believing and saying that this is just your (minority’s) problem is

not correct. It is the problem of our society which includes each one of us.

I am remembering this incident that took me by sorrow and grief when I was shared

that the women working in the Dates garden of Sukkur are being forced for

prostitution. I took my entire survey team there and we conducted our first hand

research. The results were more distressing than the issue itself. Those women were,

although, being forced into prostitution but due to poverty and marginalization. A

women’s body is her asset. In the cases where the question is about one’s survival then

all she can sell is her body. No woman in the world gladly opts for this. It’s under sheer

helplessness that a woman decides to commit this. Thus, until and unless we are able to

find the cure of the ghurbat-syndrome (poverty) we cannot save our children, our

women, not even our men.

I have tried to deliver and spread the same message on all the platforms of the rural

Sindh that we do not need formal education. We need agriculture based education. We

do not meet agriculture universities, we need agriculture schools where we can enroll

all our children, be it a girl or a boy from any religion. There is no concept of

discrimination based on caste or as scheduled caste in Islam. I don’t understand why

Muslims have started to treat minorities on grounds of their castes. One of the basic

reasons that I think your community is deprived and marginalized is because the

wealthy among you are not up there to guard your rights or raise voice for it. Instead

they have joined hands with the majority in suppressing you. Unless you propagate the

concept of unity among yourselves (among your communities), I see it far from happening

that you can achieve your basic rights. We see Parsis quite active in helping their poor

community and working for their welfare. We do not observe the same happening in

Christian and Hindu communities. This creates the situation of double crisis for you

where not just your upper class exploits you but the Pakistani society, as well.

I listened to you people mentioning of the quota system. Which quota system are you

talking about? It does not exist at all. I have never seen it being implemented. Jobs are

never given on the quota basis. When I was once invited at the provincial council I

suggested the guest speakers to even remove this word “Quota”. There should be no

appointments on basis of it. I say, the basis should only be merit and talent. Whoever


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possesses it, be it an individual from majority or minority, should be given the job. If I

am ill, all I need is a good doctor. He/She may be from any religion. It doesn’t matter. If

I need a plumber, the pipes and fixtures in my walls won’t care whose hands are fixing

it, be it the hands of a Hindu, a Christian, a Parsi or a Muslim. It would only need to be

repaired. All we need is quality people. Religion, caste and creed should not be our

problem as long as the job is being done well. We need to forget of the differences on

basis of religion but work together. We all have to work as one, towards eliminating

poverty from our homes. And for that, we need to focus more on generating our own

resources, utilizing our own energies, thinking of making the most from what is

available and then we can progress together as a nation. We should not merely sit and

wait for foreign aid but generate our own income and resolve our own problems.

Becoming self sufficient should be our priority.

You see, education and skills both are important in this regard. If you teach an 11 year

old, rural dweller, how to take care of the animals in the house, as a hen, a goat, or a

cow even, and then to earn from it. The same child can become the earning hand of the

family. What do we not have in our rural areas? We are rich in many prospects but the

need is to utilize them; to make the most of them. My brother here, mentioned of

Tharparkar and its poverty. We all know Tharparkar is rich in unusual horticulture. We

have the most beautiful and unique birds there but we never thought of ways to earn

from it.

I am glad to have earned this opportunity to express my views before you all. I deeply

appreciate this effort from FHRP in providing us all a platform to exchange our views

and connect with each other. We have become one here. In fact we are one.

My brother Anil mentioned of that Maulvi who used to drink himself and then they

(clerics) declare alcohol religiously impermissible. Now what to talk of such people who

do not practice what they preach. It’s plain hypocrisy. In my observation, there lies no

discrimination among general people on grounds of religion. People like you and I do

not make religion the basis of committing crime, wreaking mayhem and initiating

violence. When I was young we used to wait for Christmas so we get Christmas cakes,

hear Christmas carols, and watch all the beautiful decoration our Christian neighbours

would do. Likewise, we all need to be united now. Be one and learn to respect diversity

on basis of religions.

May we be anywhere, in any district; if Eid is being celebrated we can enjoy it. Be

happy when it is being celebrated. Likewise if our non Muslim brothers are celebrating

their religious festivals, the same way we should respect it and be happy about it. If

someone sprinkles color over me, in spirit of celebrating Holi that does not turn me into

a non-Muslim. That mere color does not take my religion away from me. It’s innocuous


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fun. It is for pleasure. But promoting vulgarity in the name of celebrating Holi, making

people uncomfortable and doing what is undesirable in public places, would neither be

acceptable to you or me. The point is that we have to live together in this very country

of our own.

Another observation of mine is related to the false hype that is created about the

religion based issues. When you conduct research and gather facts, you learn what is

being portrayed to the world is completely opposite of what has happened or hasn’t

happened at all. It is all done because some people have their insincere and evil

interests vested in such causes. They cash these problems. Lately, there was a lot of

hype about religious minorities moving from Pakistan to India. It was a matter of

concern for me being a social activist. I asked my workers in our Larkana and Sukkur

based setups to conduct research on the same issues and see why this was happening

and what could be done to intercept it. My female workers met Hindu women in those

areas and conveyed that those people (minority people) were even shocked to learn this

and did not know who was propagating such news and why. Now media has a

powerful role to play in this regard. They are doing some commendable work these

days but sometimes they are too much. They get an air of some issue and they start

broadcasting the news as if they saw it happening themselves. Another example of

which is the recent incident of Badami Bagh. It was portrayed under the light of

religious extremism and intolerance. Afterwards, the background story was revealed. It

was a dispute over land.

If you, my brothers, my sisters, want to excel and make progress you have to end the

weaknesses within yourselves. Identify your faults, admit them and fight to end them.

Turn them into your positives. In Hindu communities women do all the laborious jobs.

They work in fields and farms along with the males of the house; they do domestic

chores, raise kids and even earn. After all that they (Hindu Women) do they are not

given their due respect. Your (Hindu) males pay them back in form of domestic

violence. They drink and then take it all out on their females. Now to progress, it is also

important that we safeguard each others’ rights. It can be done in form of appreciating

and loving your wives, your daughters, your sisters, who are your right hands. It’s a

golden opportunity that we are here together. We can take a pledge that no men would

batter his female but respect them and acknowledge their efforts. This is how you can

progress. Violence undoubtedly inhibits talent and skills and Hindu women are quite

talented, hardworking and skilled. You can set a proud example for other men from

different communities by respecting and protecting your own females.

Islam does not believe in discrimination. No one can use Islam as an excuse to be

violent or biased. Hazrat Ali (May peace be upon him) spoke in favour of minorities, too.


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He said when you take over some state first work for the welfare of the minorities.

Provide them shelter. Be kind towards them. But how many of us do remember this.

We (Muslims) do not study Islam. We are only Muslims for name sake. Even in our

communities (Muslims’) the rich has the say. They can get away with anything while the

poor would just grind and suffer. Moreover, educate yourself. Learn and spread

education. Your community may be 2% of the entire Muslim population but there is so

much you can do. You can establish your own community based schools and teach your

children. You are educated yourself. Gather funds and turn those schools in proper

educational setups. You need to take initiatives for your own self instead of crying over

what is happening. Don’t let others take pity on you. Become your own support. Pledge

today that you would establish schools in your communities and that by 2020, no

Hindu or Christian child in your communities would stay uneducated.

Your vote is very important. Make a smart choice. Research and pick the candidate you

think would represent you. I am aware that they (politicians) have started to buy

people’s vote, particularly in rural areas. Single vote would cost them five to ten

thousand rupees. Take the money. Use it for constructive personal purpose but vote for

that person , you are sure about, would not let you and your people down. They

(politicians) are out to spend it (money). Get it but be conscientious with your choice of

vote.

All the highlighted viciousness that you (minority) claim has become your fate in

Pakistan, is not just your problem, in reality, it is the problem of us all. It would keep

happening until you educate yourselves. Make efforts to produce quality in your work

and unity among yourself. Become each other’s guardians by respecting your own

people and supporting them to get ahead. Then you would not need to request them

(government) to implement quota system but you would get the job anyway. Like they

say Christian nurses are the best. They are preferred over nurses of the other

communities. Become this good that we (majority) cannot do (work) without you. And

those of your elected members that would represent you in the assemblies after the

elections would have to discuss the issue of making amendment in the Blasphemy law.

It is certainly dangerous that two people may come up with complaint against anyone

regarding profane utterances or acts against Allah or any of our respected prophets and

that person (accused) would be charged right away. That testimony could be fake, could

be due to personal rivalry and so has been noted that blasphemy law has been

exploited, at large.

In the end I would like to suggest FHRP to focus more on becoming self sufficient. Self

sustainability and self reliance is the way to go these days. Why should we look upto

donor agencies? Why can’t we generate our own resources and work on our issues. We


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don’t have to wait for donors to come up and point our issues out. We know our

problems and we know our strengths. We can do it. Like in my organization there is a

complete ban on any donor money. We don’t believe in that. We generate our resources

and work in whatever the limited capacity we have. Another suggestion would be that

to end the hatred and ill feelings from the hearts of each other we need to involve clerics

in our working sphere. Collaborate with fathers from church, Imam sahib from Masajid,

Pandits of the temples and clerics of all the other minorities. Initiative peace dialogues

with them. Request them to disseminate the message of peace in their interactions with

their people. Tell Imam Sahib to convey that Islam is a religion of peace. It does not

discriminate on the basis of religion, caste and creed. We can end hatred and promote

tolerance, if we work together.

I think this can be your (FHRP’s) next project. For my brothers from the interior you can

do the same when you return. Invite your people, convey the same message. We are for

each other and whatever the problems are there, we can solve them on our own if we

only tactfully handle our problems. Elections are around the corner. New government

would be in power soon. Keep your hopes up and look up to change.


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EINDAR AHUJA Board Member Human Right Commission of Pakistan

Minorities in Pakistan are doubted for being the workers of the anti Pakistan forces. It

is principally thought that we (minority) are paid to work against Pakistan. Thus we are

Ghadar-e-Pakistan (Disloyal to Pakistan). Ever since we are born, we are seeing the same

being taught in the educational curriculum where the focus is on minorities being the

deceivers.

In my opinion, no society or country can prosper if they isolate minority from the main

stream politics and social activities. It was minorities that played active role in

independence. I would like to highlight the Mughal period here. The reason it was so

successfully carried out for centuries was that there was religious harmony. People, be

it Hindus or Muslims, were in peace with each other. I see it as a golden period to be

quoted here. In times of Aurangzeb and Akber no such hatred evinced because they

gave importance to the religious perspectives of not just the majority but minority as

well.

In Pakistan, in fact specifically in Sindh and Karachi, the religious minorities were

forced to migrate deliberately and even artificially by causing riots in 1948. It resulted in

migration of the educated and business oriented communities as Christians and Parsis.

The decline in minority’s population resulted in symmetrical isolation of minorities. The

same is still being repeated in episodes, time and again Pakistan bleeds due to violent

assaults on the minority population that affects our economy and over all image in the

world as an intolerant country.

I also consider the objective resolution of 1948 as the first nail that was hammered in the

development of Pakistan. I also do not understand why can’t any one from the

minorities become the president, Prime minister or chief of the Amry Staff in Pakistan.

Why is the majority afraid of the 2% voters? Why should there be a bar on our chances

to prove our loyalty to the country by being appointed to these important posts.

Besides, there are slim chances that a minority person could be appointed at such a

prestigious appointment with votes as less as 2% of the entire population. It can only

happen if that person would bear excellent reputation among majority that they would

vote for him to come ahead and represent the majority. Mr. Raja Pervez Ashraf, ex-

prime minister, said in one of the minorities’ related functions that they have officially

replaced the word minority into ‘Non Muslims’. I respond to his statement here by

saying that mere substitution of words means nothing when your actions do not

support your words. Even Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) does not use

the word minority anymore. We refer to minorities as ‘vulnerable communities’.


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I would call minorities the jewels of the society that add colour, shining and pace to the

development of the society. Majority is like that gold jewelry that lacks beauty until the

coloured stones (minority) are added to it. That’s when its worth increases and it looks

better. Minority can be separated from majority, if the aim is to progress. We generally

like to quote examples of west in everything. If we look at their society, they do not

discriminate on the basis of religion. Majority Christians realized that they could not

develop if they suppress the minority. There is no concept of minority over there.

Nobody asks you your religion or your caste. Their identity cards and VISAs do not ask

you of your religion. The same spirit of brotherhood was promoted by Quaid-e-Azam

when he said all non Muslims are allowed to go to their places of worship. There

should be no discrimination on basis of religion’. Pakistan is for Pakistanis. We (minority

community) may be Hindu, Christian or Parsi by religion but by nationality we are

Pakistanis. We may be little in number but we love our country just as much as majority

does.

It hurts when well educated Punjabis and Pakhtoons ask us when we migrated in

Pakistan. I hold the curriculum of Pakistan responsible for this misleading approach

that is systematically fed to the majority. We are not the migrants. It is a due percentage

of Muslims that are Urdu speaking and those who dwell in Punjab now that migrated

at the time of partition. We were always here. We never migrated. Had we migrated,

we would have been in India. The incident of March 9th in Lahore was severely

condemned by the general public and the political parties however, civil society and the

lawyers stayed silent over it. When the Babri Masjid was abolished we were aggrieved

and supported majority. However, this silent annihilating of Temples and Churches

since independence leaves a question mark on the safety of our places of worship. The

majority never spoke about those churches and temples that were ever destructed and

were taken over by the government or were given away to trusts for using the space for

some other cause. It is just like harming your own self. Those temples and churches

were the historical assets of Pakistan but they are not there anymore.

To be honest, I am more worried about the vulnerable condition of the majority. Until

the majority gets their basic rights, which is sadly not the case, they (majority) cannot get

us our (minority’s) rights. As far as the issue of forced conversions is concerned, I would

say that the only solution to it is to allow civil marriages i.e. to allow inter faith

marriages. The civil marriage law legally permits to be wedded without changing the

religion. This can contribute to minimizing the incidents of abduction in the name of

love, forced marriages and forced conversions. But it would only be possible if majority

supports it. The subject of ethics is taught to minorities however, in my view, it should

be taught to majority. Majority has forgotten their ethics and moral values which is why

everyone is bearing the consequences of it. The purpose to acquire education is not just


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to get job but to be informed, learn to broaden our horizon and be civilized. This is

exactly the need of majority today, more than minority. It was sad to learn for me, that

the educational reforms that were introduced by Mr. Shehbaz Sharif in the curriculum

were taken back before he left the government. He gave in to pressure and took the

decision back.

In the end I would only like to plead majority to resolve their issues first. It is important

from many aspects because when any violence occurs, it is majority that is affected

more and not the minority.


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HOUT CHAND KARMANI

General Secretary Pakistan Hindu Council

If you ask my views I see betterment in the attitudes and behaviours of majority

towards minority; comparatively more rights have been rendered than the previous

years. I think main streaming has accelerated. We could not arrange an open set up as

this before but now we can. We can voice our concerns and share our reservations

openly. It is due to modernization, improvement in the educational systems and

sensitization that has brought the overall constructive change. Yet, religious extremism

has troubled us (minority) but if the same issue is viewed on a broader perspective, it

(religious extremism) has hurt majority mainly, in the form of bomb blasts, sectarian

killings and violence on streets.

We have been mainstreamed over time which is a healthy sign. At the same time, it is

important that we take the upcoming elections seriously, otherwise the entire

advancement would get back to square one; particularly, if we do not select a

conscientious leader. Our country is facing many problems, the major one is that with

majority that affects minority, too, of course. That is the issue of disturbed law and

order situation. There is no question of minority and majority here since it affects all.

Then comes the problems of minority. Here we all have been mentioning the scheduled

castes being most deprived and marginalized. In my observation this difference based

on castes has also minimized in fact it has ended in urban areas. If you go to the

Mahadev Temple in Clifton today, nobody asks you which caste you belong to. Any

Hindu, be it of the scheduled caste or the upper caste can go there and worship. Even

the members of the scheduled castes have been given representations in assemblies as

‘Khatumals’ and ‘Bheels’. Now the only problem that has been hampering the progress

of the scheduled caste is the lack of education that stands as a point of difference

between the upper and the lower castes of Hindu community. The faster we (scheduled

caste) we work on educating ourselves the faster would this difference diminish. It is

unfortunate that the scheduled caste does not have the resources to educate themselves.

Our upper class has been lucky in this regard. They acquired prestigious degrees and

made their way to the assemblies on our votes. However, we (scheduled caste) continued

to work for survival only and never concentrated on the far reaching impacts of

education. In one of the villages of our district Tharparkar where our core community

lives, I have seen that they do not focus on acquiring education. If they wish to end this

difference based on classes they would have to learn to be educated and civilized so

that they can also represent us in the house of the government.

I assure you here, on behalf of the Pakistan Hindu Council that if you want to take any

initiatives based on spreading and acquiring education, we would support you. Then,


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NGOs as FHRP is there. Even government allocates a lot of funds in the education

sector. The MNAs and MPAs that visit our areas can be approached and built pressure

on to fulfill their promises. There are a lot of opportunities it is just that we have to

acquire enough exposure to approach the right person for right cause. A council was

established under the supervision of Mr. Molla Bakhsh Chandio, in Tharparkar but it

did not run as effectively as it was anticipated. The reason told was, that there is no

political will. It is because we are not united. We are already quite less in number and if

we stay divided we would never be able to stand up and be main streamed. If only 46%

of the minority voters in Tharparkar join hands and caste vote in favour of our

representatives then we can also demand reforms in our favour. The problems of

scheduled caste are not any different from those that the majority in Pakistan is facing

except for the use of the Blasphemy law. It is being misused. I do not demand any

amendments in the Blasphemy law but it should be applicable for preserving the

reverence of other religions and their Holy Books too as Geeta, as Bible. Blasphemy law

should be applied on those too who disregard the sacredness of our Holy Books. If it

only happens then we would consider that we have been main streamed.

Majority does not want to wage violence on Christians or Hindus but under the shield

of blasphemy law certain people fortify their personal causes as land mafia and

politicians who want to cash the issues and earn support of the minority. These are the

people who misuse blasphemy law. This law is not wrong it is just that it should cover

minority’s religions as well. I don’t see why any Christian or Hindu should have a

problem with Quran. It is a wonderful book and we respect it. It entails all the teaching

of our religion. When our teachings are the same, when we live in one country, when

we are a nation then why is there discrimination in such an important law.

This all can be achieved if we become untied. In 50% of the constituencies minority

bears the deciding vote. If minority castes their votes unanimously then we can surely

bring the desired changes.

Another issue is related to fundamentalism based curriculum that is taught in our

schools. Majority itself has accepted that it is based on religious extremism and

promotes hatred against minorities. Thus, it needs to be amended to the one that

promotes peace and love. It is due to the fundamentalism being taught in schools

through the curriculum that is affecting both minority and majority today. If a Christian

or a Hindu dies in some religious based conflict on the other hand even Sunni and

Shiites are also being killed. We have exploited religion for our selfish and mean

intentions.

The entire system is based on religion where we (minority) are the promoters of the

liberalism. Pakistan runs on the judiciary system. If someone wants to embrace Islam


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he/she can go to the court and express the desire to convert. We do not have a problem

with that. But why exploit religion when all you are looking is for an excuse to get

married. Even our majority community condemns it that religion should be changed

without prior study and particularly for getting married only. This leads to ill feelings

between families of the bride and the groom and both the communities on a larger note.

It sometimes, as has been seen, then turns into religion based conflicts and riots. Then

our Hindus, Muslims, and Christian brothers are killed. This is not fair. Together, we

have to work for the development of our country. Love each other and promote the

same. Our country is such a wonderful place to live but we are ruining it ourselves.

We feel excluded from the main stream when we see the license of running business of

vine/alcohol being issued only to the Non Muslim Communities. Why is this done?

Our religion does not permit the use of alcohol just like Islam. We do not want such a

permit. Are only Hindus and Christians left to run such businesses? It should be

banned for all the communities for the greater good of the society. Now another issue

from where exclusion from the main streaming begins is the issue of non-

implementation of the 5% reserved quota of minority in the government jobs. We do

not have even 1% or half percent of minority people in Police service. When our people

are kidnapped we do not have anyone to go to. This does not end here. We are not

given the chance to serve in the Army, rangers or to opt for civil services even. These

are the issues that make us feel discriminated. If we are given the chance to serve in the

said appointment we can serve the country. It is for our own good.

We can only build Pakistan if we are united. Right now we are divided on grounds of

religion, sect and caste. If we forget our differences and become one, Pakistan would be

the most powerful nation in the world. Even now when I go to ‘Meethadar’ from here, I

see huge green fields. Who says the economy of Pakistan is weak. It is not weak.

What more can I say other than that we are responsible for the current state of Pakistan

and we are also the ones who can fix it, both minority and majority can together make it

happen.


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ZAHID FAROOQUE Programme Director - Urban resource Center

Conclusionary Remarks

I am glad to see us all united over here for talking about our problems and sharing our

views. It is good to talk. Not a single person here talked of promoting hatred or

believed in dividing ourselves but talked about promoting unity and becoming one.

The issue of blasphemy was discussed here before. If you take a look around or see it in

your homes the weak and economically unstable people are targeted. If only the

minorities want to survive with dignity and honour in this country, in this city, then

they have to become strong financially. The major example of this is the Bohri and the

Ismaili Community. They call themselves Muslims but their way of living, their prayers

and other customs differ from the majority of Muslims. Yet, not a single Muslim can

point them out the same since they are economically sound, unlike us.

I noticed that our people were constantly using insensitive words (that are used in the

Hindu Community to refer to the scheduled caste) so we first need to stop using such words.

Once we do that, it would impact our thinking pattern and behaviours consequently.

We need to eliminate discrimination from our words and daily vocab. I am a Christian

by faith and we have seen what happened with Christian community in Sangla Hill,

then in Gojra and now in Lahore. It is all connected to “Zan, zar aur zameen” (women,

wealth and land). In our society a financially challenged person of minority cannot own a

piece of land, for it is not safe for him. His neighbours have their eyes set on the piece of

land whose value increases over time. Then they use blasphemy law to snatch our

possessions, abduct our women and grab our lands. Our basic problem is poverty and

this is why we become the victim of the wrong use of blasphemy law.

Now the question is that who would strengthen us? Would it be those running the

churches, mosques, temples or those who work in civil society organisations or our

government; or perhaps we ourselves if we become one. We can be stronger. These are

the options that we have and these are the lines that we should ponder over and talk

about. Now we need to think what should be the role of these religious clerics in our

lives. Should they stand for us on the giving end or the taking one? It is the time that we

unite together, all our clerics of Hindu, Muslim and Christian community to work

together with us, for us. We need to think how we can be economically strong and what

role can religion play in this regard. Can it divide or unite us? We need to think on it all.

Elections are up and there are about hundred seats which would be decided on the

balanced voting from the minorities. Whoever the minority vote for, will win. Now the

need is to see who bargains the best; would it be the political parties, the government or


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the people themselves. Whoever brings the best bargain would achieve their political

agenda. Bargain for your rights. Tell them your problems. Make a confirm deal and

then vote. Don’t sell your vote short. Make it your power and use it for your purpose.

Collectively, we can demand what we want. When you are making a deal tell them

(political parties) you want them to raise your voice in the assemblies. Raise it for your

protection and ask for amendments that would bring the change in your lives. Changes

that we all are talking about here. Don’t ask them for resolving service related issues of

fixing pipes, repairing gutter lines or provision of water. These would be resolved by

the counselors and mayors.

Recently 23rd amendment was proposed in the constitution of Pakistan regarding

passing a law on increasing minority’s seats in the lower house of the parliament as

well as the provincial assemblies. The bill is called “The Constitutional (twenty third)

Amendment Act 2012”. According to the bill minority seats were to increase from 10 to

14 in the national assembly and up to 10 in Punjab, 12 in Sindh, 4 in KPK and 4 in

Balochistan. But at the time of the discussion and approval of the Act there were not

enough members present in the assembly so that the session could be proceeded.

Quorum was insufficient thus, the bill went in pending. This would have not been an

issue if the minority seats were increased at the time of increasing majority’s seats from

217 to 342 in 2009. However, this was not the concern of the members. We have to talk

to our leaders, our representatives and those who come to us asking for votes and make

huge promises. We need to ask where they (Assembly members) were our issues were

being raised. Why did they (Assembly members) not show up?

We have diverse views about having the minority quota system or not at all. Jobs of

police should be non-political but are they apolitical for real? These jobs are distributed

instead of being given to the deserving person. I ask how many of our religious

minority people are there appointed as the Judge in the Supreme Court. How many of

our minority judges could be found in High Courts? How many of the commissioners,

deputy commissioners, secretaries, bureaucrats, DCOs and EDOs from the minority

community are there. They are next to none, in numbers. Things are a little easier for

Christians in comparison to Hindus. Our Christian minority can reach up to the

appointment of Brigadier in the Army. The same is not possible for Hindu Community.

They are not even considered to be inducted. They don’t question our nationality or

doubt our sincerity when they approach us for votes. However, we are discriminated

and doubted at, when eating mere meals together or when we extend our hand in

friendship. Now is the time when we make them realize that I am the same Rajpal, I am

the same Ramesh that you returned when I came for induction in Army because I love

my country. Why are the services of Christian community not acknowledged? The

educational system of Pakistan is promoting extremism and only highlight minority as


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the villains before the eyes of the children. Why our Pakistani children are not

reminded of the achievements of Christian heroes as Cecil Chauhdry, the man who

holds the same record as M.M. Alam holds for shooting down many aircrafts in less

time. Many may not even know that officially Christians are called ‘Maseeh’ in Urdu

and not ‘Essai’, as it is widely believed and said. Who is responsible for overshadowing

the Christian community? Why are our efforts not appreciated in the field of education?

Today, all the best schools and colleges are run by Christians. We are contributing in the

field of health, education, defense and every other field. We are just as much of a

Pakistani as any of the Muslim here. It is such a disgrace when out entire community is

labeled for doing the menial and stigmatized job of a janitor because we are cruddy, in

faith before you. I raised the same matter before Naematulah Khan, the ex-mayor of

Karachi and asked if only a Muslim name or caste can prove your skills and expertise.

Why can’t the Syeds and Sheikhs do the same jobs that we are offered? They would do

the same white collar menial job in a foreign land but not here because they are in

majority. Our people openly violate laws without any fear because they know any

minister in the family or among friends would be watching their back.

Our problems are there and they are grave. Somewhat, the same problems are

disturbing the life of majority in Pakistan. It is the need of time that we forget the

minority and majority debate, put our acts together and become one. There is no harm

in discussing the issues and highlighting our problems but with the intention of

resolving them and not spreading hatred and communism among ourselves, as many of

my brothers quoted here that ‘united we stand, divided we fall’. It is not my concern

who raises hands in prayer and who does not, who bow before their god and who

doesn’t. Religion is people’s private matter and it should not affect our judgements and

the spirit of brotherhood as one nation.


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SECOND HALF: MAINSTREAMING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN

PAKISTAN


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FAZIL CHANNA

DISTRICT UMERKOT

Hindus reside in a greater number in district

Umerkot. Up to 40%-45% of the population in

Umerkot is Hindu minority. To some estimates

minority population is said to have reached up to

50% to 55% even, as in other districts as District

Sanghar, District Mirpur Khas, District

Tharparkar and Badin. I don’t find myself

comfortable in using the word minority because

in my mind, there exist no such concept. I

believe, we all are brothers and I would second

the thought of being selective in choosing

sensitive words for our brothers here.

The major problem of minority is poverty. It is due to lack of resources and wealth that

they cannot acquire education. They cannot stand up against the aristocrats and are

forced to bear their brutality. Moreover, Hindu minority is in sufficient number in

district Umerkot but they are not united. Consequently, they bear all the forms of

mental and physical torments. Their women who support their men financially and in

the house hold affairs are abducted when they go out to work in fields, when they take

the cattle out for a walk or for eating in fields, when they are out to conduct other house

hold chores. They are just not safe.

Minority is under the yoke of the feudal lords, the wealthy and the mighty who forcibly

make the minroty males their slaves and make them work for free. Their (minority’s)

chances of progress end right when the shackle of slavery is put around their feet. It

ends their confidence, their self esteem. Above all, their freedom!

This is one aspect of the problems that I shared now coming over to religious freedom, I

would say, they are not free again. In some of the districts of Sindh as Mithi and

Tharparkar, Hindu minority can openly and freely celebrate their religious festivals as

Holi and Devali. But, can they do the same being in urban cities as Karachi? I don’t

think so.

We all are talking about provision of education here. How can an earning hand be at

school when he can utilise the same time in making money for the family that is trying

hard to make their both ends meet? These innocent children that are the future of

Pakistan are worried about bringing bread back at home instead of learning and

playing in schools. They say government schools are cheaper but how would the


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children of a poor man learn when the government schools have become the go downs,

stables and personal drawing rooms for the guests of the influential of the area. The

same was discovered when these schools were raided by the local police on direction of

the Supreme Court Judge.

We can hope that these problems would end someday but it cannot happen unless we

take personal initiatives as the speakers before were motivating us to take. Establish

communal schools, build pressure on concerned authorities and use your vote wisely.

Now is the time!


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BHARAT

DISTRICT UMERKOT

According to a survey, there is about 51%

minority in the district of Umerkot. Call it our

good or bad luck that it makes us eligible for one

seat from our respective NA. But we are never

given the chance to contest election on basis of it.

Even in the election of 2013 we have not been

selected to contest election. These are ground

realities and we have to raise voice against

discriminatory attitudes towards us. This

conversation must not end here. We have to take

our initiatives when we go back home so we can

bring change and not just t alk about it, which,

sadly happens, most of the times. I believe if you have the will, you have the way.

Recently, two Hindu brothers named Kailash Kumar Maishuri and Sarwant Kumar

Maishuri were kidnapped from District Umerkot under the watch of our recent DPO

(District Police Officer) Mr. Ayaz Soomroo’s brother Mr. Riaz Ahmed Soomro. They were

released for ransom in US dollars. When they returned, their interviews were

conducted by the Media. They were asked if police was of any help during the entire

time, since they (police) claim they have struggled to get you released safely. To which

the brothers replied that nothing but the dollars helped them get their freedom. Mr.

Kailash Kumar Maishuri is about to migrate by 15th of April, from Pakistan to India. He

would get settled there. Issues as these make the minorities feel isolated.

I would quote another such issue about a six year old Hindu girl, Vaijanti, from

Umerkot, here. She was stripped off her honour despite of her little age. That cruel

person is the Feudal lord of the ‘Mangherio caste’ in Sindh. His power lies in his wealth

and the property he owns. Entire electronic and voice media collectively raised their

voice against this heinous act and condemned it openly. I thank the civil society of

Umerkot who played their part in the entire effort of getting the girl justice but it went

in vain. Since they (police) sided with the feudal. Mr. Sanaullah in District Umerkot is

respected and known for his honesty but what am I supposed to think when he

threatened the family of this little girl at night, around 2am, with a gun to take their

complaint back.

Another such girl was Moomal Menghwar. She was kidnapped in the name of love. She

never appeared before the media or court. Only the news of her changing the faith from


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Hinduism to Islam, was published. We (Hindus) do not have any issue if someone

wants to change their faith by heart, after proper research and with their own free will.

Not like a white paper with a hand written testimony should be sent in the press club

that declares that the girl has changed her faith, at some place with the abductor and is

married to him now. We have a state and functional judiciary. People should opt for

legal and straight means instead of exploiting and defaming the religion for their

interest.

Now comes the case of Dhani Bheel. The trial of the case was run near by Khipro and

the media, particularly “Awami Awaz” newspaper did a splendid job in covering the

entire story and highlighting the issue. Sangeeta, is also one of those unfortunate

women, who were kidnapped. This sad incident happened in the NA of Mir. Manohar

Talpur, husband of Friyal Talpur. Parents of the girl visited Mir and requested him to

do something about it. They were assured that the girl would be returned. It has been a

month now that the girl is still missing, she did not appear before court or media. There

is no news about her whereabouts. She is just lost, leaving her aggrieved parents and

family behind. So these are the issues that you might have read about in the news paper

but I consider it important to raise them again here. These issues cause us pain and

make us feel insecure. If our laws, policies and courts are helpless when it comes to

such matters, then who should be approached for providing us security and protecting

our families and our rights.

It does not end up to abducting girls. The victims include even the educated and

professional respected people of the society. Dr. Mr. Joodho Mal Menghwar is one of

such people. He has rendered a service of about 26 to 27 years in Umerkot. His house

was recently looted and it again happened when the DPO was Mr. Riyaz Ahmed

Soomro brother of the ex- minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs. The accused are

still roaming freely and no progress has been made by the police. Neither was his

possessions returned nor does he has any hope of getting them back.

Sharing these incidents pertinent to oppression on the religious minority does not mean

that the majority lives in peace in our areas. Same happens with them however, the

frequency of these incidents occurs majorly with the minorities.

As, Mr. Niyaz Ahmed Samejo’s house was also looted. Then Mr. Ameen Hali Putto’s

house also did not remain safe. He is the manager in a local bank here. They (dacoits) left

nothing in the house. They even took their cars away. Nothing has been done with

regard to getting their possession back. This is hard earned money, when it’s wasted

like that, it hurts.

Likewise, the plot of an 80 year old man Mr. Saadho Mal Manghwar was grabbed in


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Samaro, by Naseer Khan, the reliable and close worker of Mr. Meer Manohar. He is the

MNA from our constituency. All the SHOs, the DSPs and other law enforcing agencies

were on Meer’s side. Thus, nothing could be done yet media was on our side. The

electronic and print media gave necessary coverage to the issue and raised it on all the

platforms. We thank them for their due support.

This all is done with the intention to barren our minds, to keep us busy in all these

issues so way cannot focus on what that can take as ahead, as education, as

employment, as better business. Disgracing a woman and depriving off her honour is

one of the most loathed forms of brutality but this is not the only form of oppression.

Our district is marginalized in many other aspects too. There is just one lady doctor

available for the entire population of 0.4 million people. In case of emergency, if she is

not available then we have to take the patient to Mirpurkhas. There are water plants for

safe drinking but they do not work. There are over 1,300 primary government schools

in Umerkot but they are not functional.

If you talk about corruption then an interesting even happened here. Our current DPO

Mr. Syed Ahmed Ali Sahab and our Ex-DPO Mr. Riyaz Ahmed Soomro ran a rally

against corruption. They were asked by the media if they have never done corruption or

will they never do it in future. They smiled and remained silent. Now I think, what they

would do if they won’t opt for corruption. Isn’t it what they came for. This may be one

example but it is the general approach of our people. We do not want to work for our

country. We only want to work for our welfare. Yet, I don’t believe in losing hope as

long as people like us are there. We would be fighting to bring a positive social change

and it will come. Minority’s rights would be rendered and our systems would be open

and fair to both, minority and majority.


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JAWAID NAIK

DISTRICT BADIN

My name is Jawed Naik. I am Christian by

faith.

I am here since morning and have been

listening what the esteemed speakers are

saying. What I have deduced is that either our

system is at fault or we are. Problem is

somewhere there in either of the two said areas.

Like my brother from Umerkot shared that the

girls were abducted and then the abductors

gave their testimony to the media that declares

abductee Muslim. This put everything to end.

They (abductors) are not questioned if the girl is alive, why can’t she appear before the

court. We are always taught that no one is above law neither Muslims, nor Hindus or

Christians. Then why is the complaint dislodged as the matter of religion comes up.

Does religion washes away all the crimes, all the charge. There should be no hesitation

in talking about these matters as they are our problems. We cannot find a solution out

until we talk about it. I think there should be no relaxation in law, if one changed

his/her faith. Crime should be punished anyway, should it be done by a Muslim, by a

Christian or a Hindu.

Although we all are equal as humans, the difference comes up when we demarcate

ourselves, when we distinguish ourselves on account of religion, minority, majority,

wealthy, poor, caste or creed. This bent of mind gives birth to the problems that we

have highlted here. Mightier would always try his power over the weaker. Wealthy

would never let the chance of oppressing or exploiting the poor, go. We all know water

always flow in the downward direction.

We said minority must unite. That’s correct. It is our biggest weakness that we have

divided ourselves in further classes. Our rich class suppresses the poor class. And it is

fact that once we develop enough abilities within ourselves, once we become unite

majority would not be able to harm us, they would not dictate us, and we would not be

tortured or suppressed. This is our fault and we are facing the music now. I think, no

one should use the word minority. There should be no concept of minority. In fact

minority should be included in majority and considered as one. We live in one country,

we are brothers then why divide ourselves. Why not become powerful by being one.

Why isolate the weaker. Why cause him troubles. I was hearing what my brother from

Umerkot was telling about these cases of abduction and trials. Sadly, I never read any


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such news nor did I see any TV channel broadcasting this news. I have never seen the

majority demonstrating solidarity with minority and raising voice against suppressing

them. When do we see any rallies, any walks or demonstrations before the majority to

support minority in case any such issue rose. They think they are minority, they should

be left alone to deal with their problems. The same is what we (minority) are doing with

each other.

Our curriculum is based on religion. There is a lot of room of improvement in it. You

would find Quranic verses and teaching of Islam in the course book of Urdu and the

same would be written in the Book of Islamiyat although these are two different

subjects. It is a technical error. When I was kid, we were taught a chapter in book of

Urdu about the four provinces of Pakistan and those who dwell in it. We were taught

Sindhis live in Sindh, Balochis live in Balochistan, Pakhtoons reside in KPK and

Punjabis constitute Punjab. Where are the religious minorities in it? We are called a part

of Pakistan then so should be taught to the kids that Christians, Hindus and Parsis are

other religious communities that live in Pakistan and they are also Pakistanis.

Throughout all the levels of education I did not read the same in any course book. This

information is missing in the curriculum.

If we give the same thought to our children that is from where we can expect to see the

change; we are talking about patriotism, nationalism. We are patriotic nationals. We

required to be acknowledged in the course books, in the curriculum, in all the platforms

as equal and patriotic citizens. We call ourselves community because we feel isolated

and deprived. This should not happen. If you say we all are Pakistanis then we all are

one. If we all are one then our rights should be given. The concept of minority should

entirely be eliminated.

Being a minority got me laid off. Before this, I used to be a Music teacher. I would teach

rhymes, national songs, religions songs, and hymns to students. After the principal was

changed and she learnt that I am Christian. She advised the Management and the

owner of the school to quit music from curriculum since it is Haram (impermissible) in

Islam. I am Christian, I believe in faith of Muslims from many aspects. It is prejudice

that someone should have to lose his/her job because of religion. Hindus and

Christians bear the same situations at many points in their professional career.

In the end I would only like to suggest that we all should organize such forums in our

areas, in our localities and in our neighborhoods. This can bring change if we share our

problems with the people around us.


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ABDUL LATIF ZARGAN

DISTRICT BADIN

We have been talking about abduction and

forced conversion since morning but only a

few talked about the Hindu Marriage Act

that could not be passed before the

assemblies dissolved. Why was the act

discussed after five years when the

government was coming to an end? It should

have been raised long ago by the ministers of

minorities. An action delayed is an action

denied. We are a developing nation. We are

bound to face such problems as many of my

friends admitted here that the problems of

minority and majority are the same. You all

talk about 5% quota. What is the use of requesting to get the law implemented? Even if

it is followed only the upper class would get the privilege of getting jobs anyway;

firstly, because they are wealthy; secondly, because they are educated. Nothing would

change for the scheduled caste as happens with poor Muslims as they cannot pay hefty

bribes to get a job and even if merit is followed, they don’t meet the standards mostly

because of lack of exposure and education. I don’t see majority’s situation any different

from yours. You suggested that seats of minorities should be increased. Even if it would

be increased not a Bheel, not a Kholi, not a Menghwar would get it but the upper class.

It is a dilemma! You see, we have majority seats in both national and provincial

assemblies. What happens is that only the men of affairs, owners of industries who are

wealthy get these seats. They buy the entire constituencies during the time of election

and get selected. And their performance is before you. I don’t need to comment on that.

The point is we are travelling in the same boat like you said, we are a nation. We all are

Pakistanis. Likewise our problems are also not different from each other.

I am from media. I know the ground realities because all the incidents come into our

knowledge and we get to connect with the victims in person. I met this minority brother

the other day. He shared that 8 girls have been abducted from Badin within a year, out

of which only 2 have returned home. There is no denying that it is a crime but many

times minority people come to us and request us security because they plan to convert

and when we are unable to provide security. They take the step of conversion

themselves and yes, it’s mostly because of love. They want to marry out of their faith.

Much of the people approach us with request to be printed in the newspaper that they

want to convert out of their own free will. Then the matter is publicized as the case of


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abduction or forced conversion by the family, through media.

It is about time that we bring change and for that it is important that we get ourselves

educated. Education is the key to positive change for both majority and minority. It is a

matter of only yesterday that we were in the Khasmeesu Jogi village of Shadilaaj with

the Hindu snake charmers community. We had planned an entire program of Holi for

them. We celebrated it together. It was such a wonderful event. We all were together

without any difference of minority and majority. They appreciated our efforts and said

that this is the true spirit of Holi that our Muslim brothers are also celebrating it with

us. One of the snake charmers said that he was called to perform in an event long ago.

He met Mr. Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch there. He said Dr. Nabi appreciated his talent and

said he should get his children education because this would change their fate. He took

his words (Dr. Nabi’s) seriously and enrolled one of his children in a local school. His

(snake charmer’s) eyes sparkled with due proud when he told us that his son has passed

12th grade now. He said his son is a change person now. He gets the positive vibes of

change when he sees his son. When a snake charmer can achieve it, why can’t we?

Nothing is impossible.

I have worked with an NGO for children as well. I have noticed that another of the

problem in the minority community is that of child marriage. These farmers in Badin

they carry their children (bride and groom) in their arms and bring them for marriage. It

is a form of violence too that afterwards leads to many problems. It happens mostly in

the minority community. I think it should not happen. We were talking of safeguarding

each other’s rights. We are the protectors of our children but sadly we throw them into

something (…referring to the responsibilities of marriage) that they don’t even know the

meaning of.

Many here said that people are migrating to India however, in my observation many

minority families have arrived and settled in Badin, over time. Badin is a district with

an overall population of 18 lacs. Hindi minority make up 4 lacs of the entire population.

Our Hindu brothers are doing fine in field of business, as I see. Situation is no more as

worse as it is portrayed, at least in my district. Yet, the problem of health and education

is still there. There are no proper setups to attend the medical and educational needs of

the people of Badin, particularly the minority.


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FARYAD GILL

DISTRICT HYDERABAD

I belong to Sikanderabad colony of area

Kotri, in Hyderabad where majority of

Christian community from the interior

Sindh lives. A few Hindu brothers also live

there but the majority is of the Christian

community. There is an industrial area of

S.I.T.E nearby our colony. I would share

my personal experiences here with you that

must happen with many of my other

minority brothers.

We used to be landlords. We had few

patches of land that could not be cultivated

because of unavailability of water in Sindh.

So we moved to city and searched for job. I got a job in FIMCO textile mill. I was fired

in few days after they learnt I am a Christian. Then I took up another job in the

Shadman Cotton Mill. The same happened there, I was dismissed because of practicing

another faith. Then the third factory was that of Nooriabad where again the same was

repeated. I was insulted before everyone in the canteen over having food there. I would

not go into details but I quit that job myself. Another factory brought the same

discriminatory attitude in my lot. So it continued to happen. Every time I get a job, they

would either hold discriminatory behavior towards me or fire me over some or the

other reason because I am not a part of majority.

While working in the factories I noticed another discriminatory behavior towards the

women of minority. They pick their female labors in Suzuki with a capacity of seating

10 people. Now they would make 20 women to sit inside. They sit in each others laps.

Then they ask a few to stand over the bar that extends out of Suzuki’s door. Few are

made to sit on the top of the car. There is one contractor of the factory whose entire

hired labour is brought to work in one Suzuki of a ten seats. I don’t find it respectable

for women to sit over the roof of the car. It is also not advisable from safety point of

view.

Another reason of this discriminatory behavior being prevalent in the industries is that

majority of workers are brought there from Punjab and Kashmir. Punjabis and

Kashmiris think very low of Hindu and Christian minority. The do not treat us right.

There is a lot difference in the behavior of people of Sindh majority, towards the

minority, when it is compared to those from the other parts of Pakistan. Talking of the


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quota jobs our minister sold a minority quota’s vacancy available in the DC office, to a

Sindhi Koraijo Brother (Koraijo caste) in 2 lacs; if our ministers are not with us then who

would be.

We are also living under fear from the Land mafia that operates in our area. They take

over minority’s lands and plots forcibly. There is this powerful influential in our area,

Malik Asad Sikander. He works with his younger brother and another companion

Manzoor Barohi. They are the mafia people. They grab our lands, our plots saying this

is the land of Sindhis. This is the land of our forefathers. This does not belong to you.

You do not belong here. They even get those plots vacant, where families are already

living.

Land mafia does not even spare our places of worship. There was this church in Kotri

Sikander Hari of Hyderabad. That area is inhibited by the farmers who were freed from

the personal jails. This church is built on a vast area of land. The land mafia forcible

took over half of the land from the Church and built their residence there. Now the

other half has also been grabbed on direction of Malik Asad Sikander. They are again

building their houses there. Last month, we were praying together inside our house. At

the time of Azan, our Muslim brothers came shouting at us and said we should stop

praying while Azaan is being recited. An incident of somewhat the same nature

happened at the Church. We were praying while a Maulana sahib (Muslim cleric) barged

in with a mob of 100 to 150 angry people, one of them who was wearing a green turban

stepped in front and cursed the speaker using insulting hand gesture (Lanat di). Now if

you insult a religious speaker before his own people, what is he supposed to feel? We

all felt insulted not just him. He was reciting the same verses of God that you do. It was

not any different from what they recite. We praise and worship God, so do they.

My brothers mentioned of exploiting religion as an excuse to do love marriage. I would

like to highlight another issue in this regard that has not been discussed by far.

Sometimes when the families do not give their consent for the marriage, the couple uses

Islam then. They go to a Maulvi (cleric) or some influential, bribe them, convert to Islam

and hold them witness for the marriage by paying some amount. Now when the

marriage is revealed to the family they cannot do anything about it because it has

become a religious matter now. After sometime, the same couple joins us back in

Church and our services. It’s clear that they used Islam to be together. Something

should be done about this as well.

Talking of oppression, I am remembering what happened 3 to 4 months back in

Hyderabad. We were to hold a religious procession behind the Rajputana Hospital but

we had to cancel it when thousands of religious clerics came up. We had to wind our

procession up. Now this is the situation that we face. It was said here before that we


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could migrate to India when Pakistan came into being but we did not because we love

Pakistan. Our forefathers were the people of this land. Pakistan would have never

appeared on the map of the world had the four deciding votes of Christians had not

been given to Pakistan at the time of partition. We gave our votes to construct Pakistan.

Why should we leave this country then.

We want Pakistan to progress. Progress of Pakistan is our progress. It can only happen

if we unite and work towards its development.


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ZEESHAN LAGHARI

DISTRICT MIRPURKHAS

I would begin to share my views with the words

of Mr. Abdul Kalam Azad. He said,

“..In the history of Asia politics has always been done

in the name of religion. Thousands of massacres

occurred to avenge political aims and later the blame

was put on religion”.

Our country was established in the name of

religion. States do not have any religion, but our

state does have one. This hotel does not have a

religion but people sitting here do. In the entire

world only two countries were established on

the name of religion. One is Israel and the other is Pakistan. In 1947 when the partition

occurred, not many people migrated from Sindh in comparison to the number of people

that are leaving Pakistan now. This is being done on purpose. Riots in the name of

religion were organized under due planning so that the patriotic people may leave with

bitter and heavy hearts.

The people of Sindh were so cultured that they never used to give milk and Lasi

(traditional drink) in return of money. There are still many areas in Sindh where we

(Muslims) do not sacrifice cows openly on roads because it hurts the sentiments of our

Hindu brothers. Then they ask us who are we afraid of. It is not out of fear that we do

so. We do it out of respect of the religious sentiments of our minority brothers.

In 80s in District Sanghar, the dacoits and murderers broke the Sukkur jail out. It was

part of the planning. These heartless dacoits were then directed to start Shitte-Sunni

riots in Khairpur and Thairi. These dacoits do not have any religion. They are the

people of money. Many people were killed in result of the riots that happened then.

Recently, in Sanghar, a man was caught trying to set the Imam Bargah on fire. It was

later discovered that he was from Faisalabad. A guy from Faisalabad was sent here to

carry out this vicious crime. Another such incident occurred in Seeta, a place in district

Dadu. This guy set pages of Quran on fire and was caught by the police. The people in

Seeta tempestuously set the guy on fire by taking him out of the lockup. The people in

Seeta still do not know who he was where he came from. This is the sort of planning

that is being done to induce hatred among our hearts, for each other. We need to

identify these people.


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Our people are peaceful and patriotic. We do not believe in violence but sadly we have

become a part of this preplanned violence that is imposed on us. When our scholar Mr.

Sobo Giyaan Chandani was arrested and brought before court. He was offered freedom

by the judge in form of exile to India. He refused it and said that he is the son of this

soil. He was born here. He would not leave Pakistan.

Majority Hindus belong to the business sector. They have a huge share there. Now to

grab that share all the abductions, killings, looting and extortion is done particularly

with the minority people so they may leave Pakistan. Our law enforcement agencies

need to pay attention to it so they (minority) may continue to play their role in the

development of the country.

Our curriculum is based on hatred. We have not produced this curriculum. It has been

produced by those who have nothing to do with it. As per the 18th amendment

provinces are free to construct their own curriculum but the order has not been acted

upon. We are taught to admire those who enabled English in ruling over us and are

portrayed as our heroes. Those who actually stood by us and fought for our rights are

presented as the villains, unpatriotic and disloyal people. Another of my brother here,

raised the point that names of Christians, Hindus should be mentioned as few other

nations that live in Pakistan besides Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pashtoon. I would like

to clarify here that Christianity, Hinduism are not nations. These are religions. Nations

are not built on account of religion. Whoever the Hindu resides in Sindh is a Sindhi,

whoever the Christian lives in Sindh is again Sindhi. If it were so, as you were telling

then we Muslim Pakistanis would not need to apply for VISA to visit to Saudi Arabia.

Another issue that we raised here was about the tenancy act. People say it should be

amended. Amendment is not the problem. The problem is its execution. It is not

followed at all. Amendment is the second step that comes after implementation. We are

not even on the first step yet.

The administrators of the tenancy act have double standards. They would treat a farmer

with contempt and make him wait outside his office for long hours but would treat a

feudal lord with all the due respect. Both might have the same problems but are not

served equally. That wealthy man would be served tea and a chair to sir while a farmer

would keep standing and wait because he is not rich and powerful. Discriminatory

behaviours as such are done with all the poor and not just the minority. We were

talking about the scheduled caste. This is not the issue in any specific community or

religion. This is the problem of all the communities where people are treated on account

of their bank balance and power.


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MAJID ARISAR

DISTRICT TANDO ALLAHYAR

FHRP has conducted forums and seminars

on minority rights in many union councils

of Tando AllahYar. I am thankful to them

and feel great that their span of

beneficiaries is such large that they united

people of seven districts. We would

become friends here and would work

together in future for the same cause. This

network that we establish here would go a

long way.

We talk about the input of civil society and

government I suggest that we work with

scholars, peace laureates, teachers and

artists too, to spread our message. These are the people from different walks of life.

They would enable us to reach those whom we have never been able to convey our

message because usually we build our networks within civil society.

People in Tando AllahYar face the same problems that my brothers highlighted today.

It is all the same. The oppression, land mafia, kidnappings and health and education

related problems are also the fate of Tando AllahYar. I would urge you all to be very

active before, during and after elections. Educate your communities. Share with them

the manifestos of all the political parties. Guide them in choosing the right leader. We

can be a positive influence. Educate your men to support women during elections and

bring them to caste vote. Educate your girl child not because it has now become a

fashion but because it is for their own good. An educated daughter would give you an

educated and civilized generation. We need to select a government that is also sensitive

towards the issue of minorities. They are our brothers. The Bheels, the Kholis, the

Menghwars they are the real people of Sindh. Why should anyone force them to leave

their country? This is their home.

One of our major problems is that we forget everything after the elections are over. We

do not demand politicians to fulfill their promises. It is important to remind them of

their duties. We must time and again meet them. Ask them of their plan of action. So

they don’t think we are deep asleep. Make it your business to remind them what they

said before us in their big rallies and political processions. It is not just the job of the talk

show hosts.


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We need to build pressure on them (political leader) to pass laws and acts that are in our

favour. Minority requires support of majority and majority requires minority to hold

their hands. Alone, nothing can be achieved. You saw what happened with Rinkle

Kumari and you also saw what happened with Malala. Both are our daughters, we

cannot say if Malala belong to majority then Kholi and Bheel cared the lest when she

was shot. Entire Pakistan woke up. When Rinkle was kidnapped, we raised voice

against it. Then we didn’t discriminate if it was a Muslim or a Christian that was

standing in the protest against the injustice with her. Nobody asked each other’s

religion. We all were there. The same unity is needed to achieve more.

Remember if we become each other’s shield then the foreign forces will not be able to

send drones on us. They would be able to bribe us and free criminals like Ramon Davis.

Our Aafia would not be handed over to them and they would not get a chance to

spread anarchy in our region. Incident as brother Zeeshan mentioned are increasing

because we have stopped caring. They are becoming successful because we are not

supporting each other. No religion teaches to kill, no religion teaches to rape girls, no

religion permits to drink. Don’t discriminate and find faults in each other’s religions.

Religion is a personal matter but how you act and react is your choice. Become one and

you would see Pakistan is a heaven on earth. When you go abroad they discriminate

with you, then they don’t ask if you are Shiite or Sunni, if you are Menghwar or Masih.

They only call you Pakistani. Work together to build a positive image of the nation, this

is how we can gain respect and make progress.


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MANGLA SHARMA Co. Chairperson- International committee for Peace and harmony

Every since I have arrived to attend the program I am constantly hearing these views as

the word “minority” should not be used. It is talked about as a Taboo. Minorities are

present in all around the world. It is not just in Pakistan that minorities are there. In

some countries Muslims are minorities, in some Hindus are in less number while in

other Christians make up the minority. So being a minority is not an insult. It is just a

word that literally refers to a group of people who follow a different religion than the

majority and are in less number in some specific country. Yet, the problem is, if the

minority is treated equally and rendered all their rights. I call myself a Pakistani and a

minority too. I am a Pakistani by nation and religion in my personal matter. I follow

another religion so I form minority.

We have been highlighting problems and issues since morning. It is creating an

atmosphere of hopelessness. This should not happen. Our approach and focus should

be more centered over finding opportunities and possibilities. You pay present a

problem, it is important but it is equally important that you present a solution

alongside. It is not that all the injustice is happening with the minority only. Although

prejudiced and discrimination is there but there are also some positive points and

reforms that have been made and we need to highlight that as well. Cursing and

frowning is not the solution. It kills the ability to be creative, to find solutions and

coming out of our problems. Wind of change has started to blow and we all are sensing

it however our destiny is yet quite far but not unreachable.

We have recently been granted the right of joint electoral which is an apprising step on

part of the government. It main streamed us. Before this, majority could not propose or

second the nomination of a minority candidate. Only a minority person could do that. It

is not the case anymore. Now our brothers from majority can propose or assent the

candidate of minority, too.

We talked about problems in celebrating our religious festivals. I see betterment here

too. A decade ago our religious festivals would go unnoticed. We used to feel if only the

majority cannot join us in celebration at least they must know that it is an auspicious

religious day for us (minority). Now a days, our religious festivals as Holi and Devali

are not just highlighted in the print and electronic media in fact our colleagues and

friends greet us which feels great. You cannot say nothing has changed at all. Media

and civil society has played a major role in it. This is why we stand here today.

Where we appreciate the good steps, we also have some complaints and points to raise.

If we refer to our personal experiences here that might not present the broader picture. I


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refer to constitution of Pakistan to highlight our problems here. Article 22 of the

constitution safeguards the right of a person to may or may not take part in the

religious instruction, ceremonies or worships other than his own. Now we all know to

what extent is the law followed. Article 25 conveys all the citizens are equal before law

and entitled to equal protection. Is this law followed? Article 27 protects individuals

from the discrimination in receiving the opportunity of service/jobs. Can I, being a

Hindu Lady, be elected in the government as a President or a Prime Minister? If not,

then either the entire constitution is a plethora of lies or maybe I am not capable

enough. We have to identify the root causes and eliminate them. Amendments in

constitution should be of the type that supports and encourages minorities as well.

We talked about curriculum here and there is no doubt that it requires positive change.

When a teacher highlights the achievements of people from only one community then it

creates an impression that only that certain community is better and supreme while

others are not. That child from minority then develops inferiority complex and is

bullied by other children who consider him and his community bad. When the same

children grow up and take important appointments or play a major role in society then

the incidents based on religious extremism and fundamentalism arise.

Forced conversion is a serious problem and it exists at large among Hindu minority in

interior. There is no need to highlight individual cases as it has already been done here.

However, I would like to quetch over the attitude of our majority brothers in this

specific regard that whenever any incident occurs with the minority, the majority does

not rise against it, particularly the religious parties. If only the religious leaders and

parties condemn the act of violence against minority then it can have far reaching

positive impacts. It may not provide any practical solution to our problems but at least

it would give as the feeling of being owned.

The previous government has gone already. We need to utilize this platform to extend

our suggestions for the new government so they may take notice of these issues and

take practical measures. I would now extend my suggestions in this regard. First of all

Census should be conducted. Covering some of the minority communities together

under the title of “All others” is incorrect. All the minorities members be it Christians,

Gens, Hindus, Parsis whoever constitute the minority must be counted and highlighted

in the census under their own respective religion. Moreover, in case the blasphemy

charge is proved against some person then only that person should be punished not the

entire community, as has been happening.

We all know that bill regarding increasing number of minority seats was not passed in

the assembly. The coming government should pass the bill without any delay as it has

been approved by the cabinet and provincial assemblies already. Another issue that I


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would light to raise here regarding the problems of minorities is that Women

candidates are given the relaxation to file their nomination papers in their respective

province however, it does not apply to the minority community. People of the minority

community have to travel to Islamabad and submit their nomination papers there. Now

it is a legal bar that has been put over the poor and marginalized class of the society

which includes minority too. So there is a need to look into the matter as well.

Another point that was observed with the functions of the previous government was

exercising favoritism. They nominated all the candidates of minority community from

one area only. Ministers, advisers and parliamentarian were all the dwellers of the same

area. However, candidates should have been nominated from different areas so that

they cover more pockets of the population and learn issues and problems of the people

from different areas. Absence of Hindu Marriage Act resulted in increasing number of

incidents of abduction and forced conversion. Such a law should be formulated and

finalized as soon as possible. Whenever a female’s case of conversion is raised, they

(court) don’t let the girl meet her parents. I suggest that the girl should not be kept from

seeing her parents but those who are charged with abduction. She (abductee) should be

kept in a separate safe location where she is given the time of about one month to

decide her faith and future with whoever she wants.

Curriculum should be designed on the lines of respect for diversity. Children must

learn to love and respect everyone and not just their religion and the people of their

community. In the end, I suggest that minority commission should be functionalized

and given enough powers to take necessary actions.

Having said all that, I would request you not to give up. Continue your struggle. Look

around. Everyone is struggling for some or the other cause. Keep good hopes.

Optimism is important for a long and consistent struggle.

I would conclude my words here by quoting a verse:

Na janay kon mujhe mar day kaafir keh ker

Shehar ka Shaher musalman bana phirta hai

They may kill me considering me a non-believer

The entire city feigns being a Muslim


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PITEMBAR SEWANI

Ex MPA & Member All Hindu Panchayat Sindh

My name is Pitamber Sewani and I was the parliament member. Minority is a part of

Pakistan, there is no need to say it again and again. We are Pakistanis. We don’t have to

prove it. Our problems are genuine and fact based as my brothers from different

districts shared here.

The concern that I felt between the lines of the speeches of you all gave, was, if

minorities are safe in Pakistan. No, they are not. Minorities have never felt safe under

the tenure of any government. And it is partly due to our own mistakes. Every time a

democratic government is formed, minorities are given representation in the

parliament. It has been 65 years since Pakistan got its independence and not a single

minority minister could get a Law, for minority communities, passed. We are still

following all the laws from the times of Indian government. No new laws or

amendments for minority communities have been made. I also hold myself responsible

for this.

Tenancy act is a general act. It applies on both minority and majority. Now our

community includes poor people from Kholi and Menghwar caste. They have their

lands kept in mortgage with the feudal lords. They are victimized. And when we raise

voice against it, our voices are suppressed. We cannot deviate from the policy of the

party. If our party has the certain clue entailed in its frame of issues then we can raise

these points otherwise, not. I

They say we did nothing with regard to minority’s rights in the field of education. We

have submitted our stance in this regard and extended our suggestions. It should be

implemented on. Muslims get 20 marks for Nazra while our minority children do not

know how to recite Quran. Now after we held talks, minority students including Hindu

and Christian students, get those 20 marks too. We have also submitted the Forced

Conversion Bill in the Assembly. I have its proof on my official website. You can go and

check it. The bill was presented on the floor of assembly. We did our bit. Now those

who have to pass the bill are not Hindus, it is the general assembly. They need to be

sensitive towards our issues.

We also proposed the Marriage Registration Bill. We do not have any legal proof yet to

prove the marital status of our women. It again comes down to you as the oppressed.

Why did you not remind them of their duties? If you think why we didn’t do a thing

about it before then let me tell you such a bill could legally be constructed only after the


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18th amendment was made in the constitution. I and my colleague Saleem, we presented

it to the ministry of minorities and to our surprise they labeled it ‘money bill’ and it was

returned. It was not a money bill. There are other complications when a bill is identified

under this category. It was a plain simple bill that would have brought tremendous

change. We also proposed another bill titled ‘people’s act’. We were to present it in the

initial months of 2013. But assembly was dissolved before it could be presented before

the members. If I join assembly the next year too then I would make sure these two bills

get passed. However, the property bill was passed. Now you can legally take action

against the land mafia who took over your property.

Minority communities are not given important federal and provincial appointments for

government services. We are given the jobs of sweeper. They complete the 5% quota in

this job only. Why shouldn’t we get the job of section officer? We are given the permits

to conduct the business of alcohol. We don’t want a permit for it since it is also not

permissible in our religion. It’s written in constitution that one can have alcohol if the

doctor suggests it. Why would a doctor suggest alcohol to treat any disease? Its permit

is only given because they charge heavy taxes on it that adds to their revenue. There

should be a complete ban on the use and business of alcohol.

Blasphemy law is imposed on us without having done anything. We don’t say

blasphemy law is wrong but how it’s works is dangerous. People are killed proper

investigations can be done. Don’t do what you did with Jagdeesh of Korangi. He was

killed with the blasphemy charge before his FIR could be lodged. Don’t do religious

conversions how you did with Rinkle. We have talked to the chairman of our party

never to give the ticket to the same MNA again. Don’t do what you did with Kasturi,

that 17 year old girl who was ripped off her honour by an entire gang in the Mokrio

village of Nagarparkar. Asima Jahangeer and I sat outside the court to find out the

decision of the court but we were not shared the verdict.

Alone we are nothing, but together we’re everything. If we join hands we can make

things happen. All you have to do is question these leaders about their performance.

Fight for your rights and continue raising your voice. It’s believed that we do nothing. I

agree, majority does not perform their duties as they should be but I have a clear

conscience. I do not have a slur on my performance. I have brought all the documents

and bills in writing here. You can verify them. I am not from a wealthy background. I

am son of an educationist. I do not live in a castle. I live a small two roomed apartment.

You are welcome to visit me anytime.

Status of minority is just for your identification. Don’t let it become the reason of

violating your rights. Work together for your case. Approach courts, conduct protest,

get your rights. Mere words mean nothing in today’s world. People can talk better than


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you think you do but this does not get you’re your right.


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SHAHJEHAN BALOCH

Program Manager Action AID Sindh and Balochistan

Conclusionary Remarks

I am glad to see Mr. Pitembar and Ms. Mangla here. Our vision and mission are the

same. Our directions, opportunities and ways may be different but our cause is the

same. You, all my brother, here, coming from different districts of Sindh are the

manifestation of solidarity.

I would try and refer to event occurred in the past and relate it with today so we can

foresee the future. If we turn back the pages of history we would learn that the

foundation of this state is based on the blood of 10 lacs people. Those who saw the

making of Pakistan would tell you what was that did not happen. Thousands of

families suffered. Another important point discussed was about the religion of the state,

as in the majority. It should be clear that state does not have a religion. It does not have

just one nation. Germans would not be wrong if they say they are one nation but it does

not imply on us. Pakistan is a country of many nations. Nations are built and broken

down with regard to the aspiration of its people. We have been given this fake vision of

nationalism. A Sindhi/Punjabi/Balochi or Pakhtoon national may ask you tha you are

trying to make me a Pakistan for last 65 years but I am a

Sindh/Punabi/Balochi/Pashtoon for last 100 years or so. In this entire state of

bafflement we have not been able to plant this idea yet in the minds of our people. We

have not been able to clear this confusion.

We feel proud that our founders formed Paksitan with a vision of peace. We quote

Quaid-e-Azam’s words about equality among people of different religions but do we

follow it? What happened after our founders passed away, our country was brought

back on the same lines of and vision of religious fundamentalism, discrimination,

hatred and prejudice. A Muslim can become president in India but not in Pakistan. The

kind of democracy that we practice in Pakistan is not true in its nature and form. It’s a

customized form of democracy. After partition, India worked on brining land reforms.

What did we do, we further institutionalized and strengthened it. Those aristocrats,

feudal lords and capitalists became more powerful. As we say in Balochi, they (feudal

lords) have further been honoured by putting a pag (turban) over their heads. A turban

is made by tying a long pieace of cloth around the head of the one who is to be

honoured. The first round of that pag is tied because he is a feudal lord. The second

round of the pag (second honour he has) is tied around his head because he is a saeen, a

wadera, a Syed (from respectable class of the society). The third round of the pag that

further increases his span of power is tied around because he is political leader too. The

final and the most dangerous status he then grabs and becomes honourable is when he


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becomes our federal or provincial minister. We are nurturing this entire system

devotedly without thinking of its consequences despite the fact that our people are

bearing it. Why don’t we see or maybe we see but we dare not to speak against it.

What kind of a democracy is that? My teacher of political science in Balochistan

University used to say that the sort of democracy that prevails in our country is nothing

but the process of recycling elites. Where is the poor public in the entire process? We

used to hear people rule in democracy, do we (general public) really rule here?

While I was conducting a little research about the topic before coming here, I came

across this review of a meeting of our Hindu Community. They said we call our self a

state and also believe that state does not have a religion. Then we deny our own

concepts by talking about minority (minority in terms of religion in particular). We cannot

deny the fact that discrimination is happening. What our brother Faryaad share here is

a practical reflection of the attitudes of our people in general. What change do you see

in all these years? None! The mindset of the people of today is not any different than

those that were there in 1945-1947. Low levels of tolerance I see. People are still burning

on the inside in this fire of extremism. You “hear” someone do a blasphemous act and

there you go on running and set their entire properties on fire, burn their people alive.

Nothing seems changed in terms of attitude.

The same review asked a series of really valid questions. They asked; if this state

provide protection to the general public of this country? Can this save Pakhton from the

foreign drone attacks? Can this state only protect the people of Karachi from target

killings? Can this state do anything about those maimed dead bodies of the Balochs that

are killed every day? Can this state stop the bomb blasts that occur in the broad

daylight in the Bazaars (markets) of Peshawar? Can this state restore the peace of the

Heaven like Swat? What kind of a heaven they are trying to make that would be

cultivated by the blood of its own dwellers? This form of heaven would not be there

(hereafter) nor should it be tried to build here.

Till our intentions, our hearts, our mind and thinking is corrupt we cannot bear good

results out of whatever the plans we have. Why can we not plan our curriculum on

conceptual basis and rational reasoning? Because officially we have to install the state

sponsored literate project in our educational systems. For, in the longer run we have to

legitimize our defense budget. How would we spend if there would be no enemies? It is

great achievement that you have become an atomic power. But can you fire that bomb?

What use is this power when it is controlled by others? There can be no benefits of it

because it’s only built to kill and you are spending the major portion of your budget

over weapons of mass destruction.


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It all affects our social behaviours. Till we don’t promote love and tolerance through our

curriculum, our art, and our music we cannot practically see change being executed and

implemented in our lives and our behavours. We need to appreciate and embrace

diversity instead of feeling insecure of it. I agree to what Mr. Pitembar said that mere

words would not bring any change. If you want to see change you practically will have

to do something to initiate and then implement it. As we say in Farsi, “Nashistan,

Khurdan, Barkhastan” (Meeting, Eating and Dispersing). If today’s discussion does not

make you a bit responsible in playing a positive role then it all has gone in vain.

Today’s discussion has been a total waste of precious moments of your lives. Now if we

talk of violence in Sindh. I find myself failed to understand that this land, which is the

land of the Sufi Saints as Latif and Sachal who promoted love, peace and brotherhood,

could become this small that it could not embrace our brothers from different faith. This

land is like a mother. Its fields, its water, its beauty is for each one of us, why can’t

minority enjoy and own it. As Mr. Pitembar said, they are the sons of the soil. It is a fact

that cannot be denied. If someone believe contrary to that then there is a problem. We

have to identify those problems. Ailment can only be cured if the disease is identified.

In my view diversity is beauty. It is bestowed by god. If someone is an enemy of

diversity then he is the enemy of God. And, the enemy of God can never be the friend of

humans and humanity. We are lucky to have been blessed with diversity. It makes us

rich, in terms of culture, in terms of heritage, in terms of traditions. It’s nothing harmful.

If we are the ones to talk about these issues so should we be the ones to initiate and

implement all our big talks. Prove that change can be brought. Charity begins from

home. Induce change in yourself; introduce it in your homes, to you children. Teach

them to be tolerant, to love each other and respect minorities. It’s said that people have

become aware, sensitized and knowledgeable due to communication and information

inflow through media. What awareness do they refer to? The one under which they

burnt the houses of the Christian community. That awareness, owing to which they

made our minority brother leave their own home land. That awareness!? Media has a

critical role to play in it. If they say media is independent these day it would be an ugly

lie. It’s not the job of the media to do propaganda and work on lines of spreading unrest

and fear among the people. How they covered, maneuvered and politically presented

the incident of Lahore, has promoted the feelings of insecurity and fear in the hearts of

our Christian community.

There lies a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the media, if they want to play a

positive role because it’s media that carries your voice from a one recording room to

across the borders and all around the world. Through our media and we can promote

peace, love, brotherhood and humanity through our art, literature, culture and tourism,


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if that happens then there can be nothing like it. More than promoting what is not

happening they (media) can promote what is happening. Media is a very powerful

media there is no denying about that. Action AID feeling the same responsibility shared

the moments of happiness with our Thar Hindu Community on the day of Holi. We

arranged an event of Holi there and our entire staff participated in it. I remember when

I was little, in Qallat, my home town, we used to celebrate Holi the same way around

the Piazza. There was no discrimination then but only happiness. We shared our

happiness together with our brothers.

Another relevant example from Balochistan could be from our tribal system. Although

the Baloch tribal system is criticized for many practices but one of the good things about

that system is that it treats our minority community (Baloch’s) with same respect and

equality as it should treat the majority. That system foster brotherhood and own

minority. If you hurt somebody from the minority, it is equal to hurting the brother of

the khan of the tribe, not even the sardar (tribal lord). A khan is the head of the entire

tribe, even those of the sardars. The reason of putting it here is that the tribal system

may have some flaws despite of that it is running this strongly in Balochistan since ages

because somewhere it promotes unity, togetherness and brotherhood.

If you ask me about our collective plan of action then I think of Elections first of all. I am

amazed to listen the promises they (political leaders) are making. I heard one of them say

that he would eliminate poverty within two years; someone said he would eradicate

load shedding in a year. I pray that they find that wonder lamp that may help them

keep their promises. But if we check reality this all seem impossible to achieve. Reality

is ugly. We all know how they work in assemblies. All the laws and acts that are passed

favour their concerns not ours. All law making revolves around their selfish objectives.

I was going through the amendment they’ve recently made in the Sindh Tenancy Act I

don’t see it favouring the Farmers in fact they’ve been overburdened by 50% of the

mentioned clauses, particularly those about equipment and the output produced. I

don’t understand why they do not translate their formulated acts and laws in Urdu and

Sindhi then I think why they would. They have loaded the farmers down with tons of

legal clauses that won’t let them progress but would only lead to committing suicide, as

1,500 farmers in India did mass suicide over the unpaid debts they owed. I was talking

to this security guard in our office the other day. He told me that he was a farmer in his

village before he joined job here. In evening I met him again but at a petrol pump. I, out

of curiosity, asked him the reason of doing two jobs. He said, “Sir! I owe huge debt. I work

24 hours so I can pay it back”. I was so sorry. I was thinking where our society is going.

What have we done with the farmers of our nation? This reminds me that beautiful

verse from Jagjeet’s Ghazal (sonnet) that says.


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Ab Main Rashan ki qataroon mai nazar atta hon

Apne Khaiton se bicharne ki saza pata hon

Now I am seen in the queues for buying cereal

I am paying for parting from my fields

This is an entire process. It does not start juts like that. It takes time. See how the

extremists go about their plan. They started from here (pointing at his head).

Systematically they started to brain wash people first, brought an idea, polished it,

presented it in the name of religion and exploited people’s feelings, trained them,

installed human resource and now a suicide bomber is a product. You can buy from for

mere 2 lacs. It is like getting a fridge from the market. Place an order and you will get it.

I believe it is a complete war that we all need to fight against, at all levels; in our homes,

in schools, in our colleges, through honest government, through media; literally at all

levels. Mere Military cannot keep us from it. Future is today. We cannot sit and wait for

things to change now. We need to start working on it from right here, as the poet says,

Hamesha kehtay hain k khushiyan kal main Kiun? Kabhi aisa bhi ho k aaj bhi ho… Aur her gher mai dia bhi jalay Aur anaaj bhi ho..

We always say that happiness would come tomorrow,

Why tomorrow..

May it happen someday that it comes today..

And all the homes may be illuminated

And that all have food to eat.

No one here can say it is not my concern. It is our concern. And don’t keep any hopes

from the state that they (government) would change themselves. State has now become a

brutal institution of violence. Their arms are used to suppress our voice more than

protecting us, our honour, our lives and our families. Society has to rise now because if

society would change they would have to change. We all have to spread the message of

love. We have to be peaceful within ourselves, not just in our heart but we need to show

it in our actions and prove it that we are a peaceful nation. Violence is not our way to

go. When Faiz Ahmed Faiz (Pakistani famous poet) went to Germany for receiving the

Lenin Peace Prize, he said there:

Peace is like the field of wheat (refers to beauty)

It is the veil of a bride (refers to fragrance)

Let us all promise today that our message would spread the beauty and fragrance of

peace, that we would sing the songs of peace with a hope that tomorrow will be a better


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day. A day that would be like nature’s light in the form of a day that it unconditionally

brings every day! It brightens every home, every nook and corner. It does not keep from

entering the house of a Hindu, a Christian or a Muslim. It is equal for all.

We are today in the same state as Ahmed Faraz once said,

Yeh who sehar toh nahi jiska intezar tha…

This is not that long-looked-for break of day…

We can create that morning, together! Lets create peace, lets creat that will and

commitment that tomorrow would be unlike today. We can still make our society a

better place. We can revive that hope our leaders had when they laid the foundation of

Pakistan. That hope is not lost, it’s here. You are that hope! I am that hope.


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DECLARATION1

The constitution of Pakistan should guarantee that minorities are eligible to

apply for any service including that of the appointment of President and/or

Prime Minister of Pakistan.

All discriminatory laws and behaviours against minority should be eliminated.

Religious conversions on grounds of fear, force and greed should strictly be

prohibited by law and protection to the minority women should be provided.

5% quota for the provision of jobs to the minority should be implemented and

initiatives on solid grounds should be taken to ensure the same.

Ministries pertinent to the affairs of minorities should only be offered to the

people of the minority communities.

1 This declaration has been prepared in the light of the suggestions proposed by the speakers. Consent of the attendants with regard to the clauses mentioned in the declaration, was taken then and there.


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Prevention of prejudice against the minority communities in all the fields,

particularly agriculture should be ensured. Land reforms particularly for the

Bheel, Kholi and Menghwar communities should be conducted.

Biasness done in the society on account of religion should be highlighted and

condemned through media particularly that of electronic media and it should be

ensured that media is playing its due part in highlighting the issues of minorities.

All such content that belittles minorities should be excluded from the national

curriculum.

Reserved seats of the minorities should be increased and conditioned to the votes

received. Candidates from the majority among minority communities should be

selected for the representation.

License of (selling/purchasing) alcohol should be cancelled for the minorities as

well.


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QURATULAINE RIZWAN

Forum for Human Rights Pakistan

We are sharing our ideas since morning. It’s quite commendable that we are not just

talking about our problems. We are talking about hope. I listened to all the speeches

that were made today and I was constantly hearing the suggestion of canceling the

permit to sell alcohol. I would like that it should also be added in the declaration we

just passed today.

We should end our day with a promise that we would safeguard each other’s right. My

brother here said that the word minority should not be used. It can only happen if we

stop considering ourself a minority. History has witnessed many nations turning in

minority from majority. To keep ourselves from getting in to such a situation we have

to work for collectives causes. Embrace our country, embrace our nationality and

become brothers for real. As Ma’am Shameim said it’s our fight; it’s our fight against

poverty, it’s our fight against illiteracy. If today minority’s children are illiterate so are

the children of majority. Our problems are not dissimilar. As I said, these are “our”

problems. Use the word “our” not “mine or yours” in conversation; there’s no such

thing as “yours or mine” when we are a nation. Let me give you a petty example of our

daily routine. The cup we take our morning tea in has the label of “made in China”, yet

we prefer it. Why not promote our products, our markets. We have to talk to get our

rights so that the governments we create tomorrow may work to resolve our issues. I

would like to share a few more verses of Ahmed Faraz’s poetry whose verse, Mr.

Shahejehan shared with use before.

This leprous daybreak, dawn night's fangs have mangled -- This is not that long-looked-for break of day.

Not that clear dawn in quest of which those comrades, Set out, believing that in heaven's wide void.

Somewhere must be the stars' last halting-place, Somewhere the verge of night's slow-washing tide, Somewhere an anchorage for the ship of heartache.


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ANNEX 1: FHRP’s INTRODUCTION


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Annex II: Religious Minorities: Project Based Presentation


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