Lawmakers take up safety of Hindus in Pakistan

The security of Hindus and anti-HIndu riots in Ghotki and Umerkot districts of Sindh echoed in Pakistan's National Assembly during which some of the members expressed deep concern over the safety of minorities.

Khwaja Asif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said, "The Hindu community has a lot of concerns over the Ghotki incidents. It is our duty to provide security to the minorities against harassment. They are loyal Pakistanis."

Violence had erupted in Ghotki town on Saturday after an FIR was filed against a Hindu teacher alleging that he committed blasphemy.

The minister of Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Khan said during the discussion on Tuesday that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Sindh government. The Federal Government is ready to provide any help they need.

Speaking on the issue, minority members strongly condemned the ransacking of temples during violence in Ghotki. Jai Parkash, Ramesh Kumar, Darshan and Lal Chand said Pakistan is their motherland and they will not leave it.

"The teacher who was alleged to have committed blasphemy has been teaching there for 20 years. A case was registered against him on the basis of a complaint made by a 14-year-old boy. Nobody was arrested after a temple was ransacked," said Jai Prakash.

"Nobody can think of blasphemy. If anybody has committed blasphemy, the culprit should be given punishment after investigation as per the law," said lawmaker Ramesh Kumar.

Another lawmaker belonging to the minority community, Darshan Lal said, "Hindus were tortured for two days in Ghotki. A temple was ransacked. Hindus are very sad over the incident there."

Responding to this, Abdul Shakoor of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) said Islam does not allow attacks against minorities.

On this, the Speaker said the entire House stands for the protection of the rights of minorities.

The government replied that 188 people have been accused of involvement in the violence, out of which 18 have been arrested.IANS