UK Parliamentary Group to Address Hindu Persecution in Pakistan
A UK parliamentary group plans to confront the UK government regarding the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Pakistan.
The APPG will discuss the persecution of Hindus in Pakistan with UK officials.
A report highlights the decline of the Hindu population in Pakistan from 14.6% to 1.7%.
The group suggests making UK aid to Pakistan conditional on minority rights progress.
A parliamentary group in the UK has announced its intention to bring attention to the persecution of Hindus in Pakistan during discussions with government officials. This initiative follows a report presented by INSIGHT UK, a British Hindu advocacy organization, to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus. The report details the threats to safety and religious freedom faced by Hindu communities in Pakistan, prompting the group to take action.
The APPG's secretariat spokesperson indicated that one of the proposals includes sending a letter to the Foreign Office, requesting a meeting to discuss the atrocities committed against religious minorities. The group is also considering advocating for a reduction in aid to Pakistan, which is one of the largest recipients of UK overseas assistance. The report, titled "Religious Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan," urges the British government to make aid conditional on tangible progress regarding minority rights.
The report highlights the alarming decline in the Hindu population in Pakistan, which has plummeted from 14.6% before 1947 to a mere 1.7% today. It documents the historical context of this decline, including the plight of Hindus who fled Pakistan during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, only to have their ancestral properties seized under enemy property laws. This has led to a cycle of poverty for many who were affected.
Moreover, the report emphasizes how the structural framework of the Pakistani state perpetuates the marginalization of minorities. For instance, the Constitution mandates that both the Prime Minister and President must be Muslim, reinforcing a second-class status for non-Muslims. It also addresses the alarming incidents of attacks on Hindu temples and the forced conversions and marriages of Hindus and Christians. Despite these serious issues, the report notes a lack of adequate international media coverage.
Looking ahead, the APPG is advocating for the UK government to conduct biannual assessments of the socio-economic conditions of minority communities in Pakistan. Additionally, it calls for establishing asylum pathways for religious minorities facing persecution. The group's efforts aim to ensure that the plight of Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan receives the attention it deserves on the international stage.
