Pakistan’s Hindus denied food during lockdown; Both government and Islamic NGOs discriminate against minorities even during pandemic

At a time when governments and NGOs the world over are struggling to tackle the Corona pandemic, the Islamic republic of Pakistan is playing with the lives of its minorities, especially the Hindus. With no one to take care of them including NGOs during the health emergency, Hindus have been left to fend for themselves.

In what might be a pure violation of human rights, Pakistan’s reputed NGO has refused to provide food to needy Hindu minorities while lending help to all others. The accused NGO is the Karachi based Saylani Welfare Trust. The Saylani Welfare Trust has been distributing food to the daily wgae workers affected by the Corona virus outbreak and restriction imposed in the city. However, the Trust has allegedly refused to offer food packets to Hindu minority workers.

Reports suggest the even Christian workers were denied the food packets by the same NGO which was entrusted with the task. A ANI report says that locals accused the authorities of wilfilly neglecting them. In a video statement a local Hindu of Karachi is heard saying that,”Authorities are not helping us during lockdown, ration is also not being provided to us because we are part of a minority community.”

Sources state that while several NGOs have been entrusted to distribute food to stranded daily wage workers in parts of Pakistan, the Saylani Welfare trust was one of the most prominent NGOs which was handed over the task. On March 21, Saylani Welfare Trust chairman Maulana Bashir Farooqi had announced that they would provide ration to 1.2 million poor people in Pakistan. But the inhuman act of the NGO has put the life Hindu and Christian minority workers at stake.

As reports of denial of food and other essentials to Hindus in Pakistan emerged, it is now being doubted if the neglect is purposeful. It is shocking to see what Pakistan’s intentions are in times of such crisis that has spared none. People from all walks of life around the world are united in the fight against the common enemy COVID-19 but Pakistan continues to target Hindu and Sikh minorities by denying them even basic necessities of life at this crucial moment. This only makes one wonder if Pakistan is waiting for its minorities to die of hunger if not the deadly coronavirus.

Reacting over the conspiracy against minorities of Pakistan, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa has condemned the inhuman act. After the news of Hindus being denied food broke, a shocked Sirsa slammed the act of denial of food to Hindus in Pakistan in times of such crisis. He further stated that minorities in Pakistan would die of hunger if not Coronavirus and this is purely a violation of human rights.

Highlighting the serious issue, he has made an appeal to Pakistan PM Imran Khan to look into the matter as soon as possible and provide food to the minorities ensuring their well-being, especially during the outbreak of the corona pandemic. Pakistan currently has reported 1593 cases with 16 deaths due to the Corona pandemic.