In a powerful statement of solidarity, the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM), led by its founder Zafar Sahito, has congratulated India for its “successful and resolute action” against Islamist terrorist infrastructure operating from within Pakistan. The statement, accompanied by an open letter titled Appeal to the International Community on Terror-Sponsored State Pakistan & Sindh’s Right to Self-Determination, condemns Pakistan’s military establishment for its role in sponsoring terrorism and calls for global intervention to address the country’s destabilising policies.
India’s Decisive Strike Against Terrorism
Sahito praised India’s use of “advanced technology and precise intelligence” in targeting multiple terrorist camps and Pakistani military bases complicit in harbouring and supporting extremist groups. “This bold and effective strike has demonstrated India’s strength, resolve, and commitment to protecting its citizens and punishing the perpetrators and sponsors of terror,” the letter stated. The operation, described as a devastating blow to Pakistan’s terrorist infrastructure, has reportedly forced the Pakistani establishment to agree to a ‘stoppage of firing’ and seek dialogue, pressured by international actors, particularly the United States.
“India’s action sends a clear message: those who kill innocents, & their masters who harbour & fund them, will face consequences,” Sahito emphasised, highlighting the operation’s broader implications for regional security.
The JSFM’s statement underscores India’s leadership in the global fight against terrorism, a cause that resonates deeply with the Sindhi nation, which has long suffered under Pakistan’s Punjab-dominated military regime.
Sindhi Solidarity and Historical Context
As members of the historic Sindhi nation, the JSFM expressed solidarity with India, drawing parallels between their own struggles and India’s fight against terrorism. “We too have long suffered under the yoke of Pakistan’s military establishment, which is dominated by Punjab and sustained by a dangerous nexus with radical Islamist elements and external powers like China,” Sahito noted.
The Sindhi nation, along with other oppressed groups such as the Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki, has faced systematic oppression, exploitation, and violence under Pakistan’s regime.
The letter also reclaims the occupied land of Pakistan as the historic “Sapta-Sindhu,” emphasising the cultural and historical contributions of the Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki peoples. “The backgrounds and contributions of the Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki could not be forgotten,” the letter asserts, calling for recognition of their right to self-determination.
Urgent Appeals to the International Community
The JSFM issued a series of urgent appeals to global powers and institutions, urging decisive action against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism and support for the self-determination of oppressed nations.
The key demands include:
1) To the United States and its allies: “Ensure that Pakistan is permanently disarmed of its nuclear weapons, which are in the hands of a military establishment that sponsors terrorism and poses a grave threat to regional and global security.”
2) To the IMF, World Bank, and other financial institutions: “Immediately suspend all aid, loans, and assistance to Pakistan. These funds are systematically diverted to finance terrorism, suppress internal dissent, and destabilise neighbouring countries.”
We call upon the international community to recognize the reality of Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror and its regional destabilization efforts. A firm, united response is essential to ensure peace, justice, and freedom for all nations under threat. 5/5 pic.twitter.com/88mw7J4cOT
— Zafar Sahito (@widhyarthi) May 16, 2025
3) To democratic nations around the world: “Recognise the right to self-determination for the oppressed nations under Pakistani occupation—Sindhis, Baloch, Pashtuns, and Saraikis—who seek freedom, peace, and the restoration of their historic sovereignty.”
4) The letter also proposed the formation of a Regional Union, with India taking a leading role based on its historical and civilisational ties. “We appeal to the international community to support the legitimate right to self-determination based on language, ethnicity, and culture,” Sahito stated, calling for a united global response to Pakistan’s policies.
What JSFM Chief tell Organiser?
Speaking with Organiser, Zafar Sahito stated, “The recent tensions between India and Pakistan, especially during the recent operations, have largely been driven by China. China is exerting its influence over Pakistan, and this conflict is shaping up to be not just an India-Pakistan issue but also an India-China conflict. This is just the beginning.”
He further elaborated, “Currently, extremist clerics in Pakistan are instigating protests in every city, and they are openly giving calls for violence. What has happened is helping Pakistan; for the last 4-5 years, the morale, especially within the army, has been low. There have been attacks on cantonments during Imran Khan’s time, along with crises in regions like Balochistan, Sindh, and others. But this war had boosted their morale.”
Discussing the socio-political dynamics within Pakistan, Sahito emphasised, “Whenever there is a movement in Sindh, it has a significant impact on Pakistan. Sindh is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, generating about 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the country’s revenue. Therefore, it must be liberated. The concept of Punjab as the land of five rivers and Pakistan as ‘Sapta Sindhu’ is deeply rooted in our civilisation. For us, Sindhu is our heritage, shared with Bharat and Sanatan Dharma. This heritage must be reclaimed from the terror state.”
Sahito also raised concerns about Pakistan’s intentions, stating, “Pakistan will continue its aggressive stance. Just three days ago, they sent around seven terrorists from Bangladesh and Pakistan to India. In Pakistan, the 12 crore population is so radicalised that they are willing to carry out suicide attacks in the name of Jihad.”
He made a direct appeal, saying, “We want to be with India. India must formulate a strategy to advance this fight and support our reclamation efforts. Not just Balochistan, we too need liberation.”
Commenting on the portrayal of incidents, Sahito added, “Yesterday, Pakistan reported that three to five houses belonging to Muslims were burned down by the Indian government in Kashmir, labelling the residents as terrorists. This is how the state manipulates narratives. India must pay attention to social media, media fronts, and video narratives. These are the most dangerous fronts, and they must not be ignored.”
Persecution of Hindus in Sindh: A Humanitarian Crisis
A January 2025 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), titled Exodus: Is the Hindu Community Leaving Sindh?, sheds light on the systematic persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Pakistan. The report, released on January 23, 2025, highlights the deteriorating law and order, Islamist violence, economic challenges, and climate conditions that have driven Hindus to migrate from Sindh, Pakistan’s province with the highest concentration of Hindus.
The HRCP report traces the roots of Hindu migration to historical events, including a 1986 jailbreak in Sukkur, where 34 convicted prisoners involved in kidnapping Hindu traders for ransom escaped, creating a climate of fear.
The 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India, further intensified anti-Hindu violence in Pakistan, with attacks on temples and places of worship. “This surge of violence in response to events in India became a catalyst, intensifying the trend of Pakistani Hindus emigrating to India,” the report noted.
More recently, the HRCP documented ongoing threats to Hindus, including kidnappings for ransom, forced conversions, and targeted attacks. “Hindus feel frightened and insecure due to the rise in kidnappings for ransom by dacoits operating from the Katcha [riverine] areas,” the report stated, citing interviews with community leaders in northern Sindh districts like Ghotki, Jacobabad, and Kashmore. Wealthy Hindus, particularly those from “upper caste” communities, are targeted for both their religious identity and economic standing.
The report also highlighted the role of Islamist figures like Mian Abdul Haq, alias Mian Mithu, accused of facilitating forced conversions and marriages of underage Hindu girls at his seminary in Ghotki. “The complete absence of similar cases involving Hindu boys casts further doubt on the legitimacy of these conversions,” the HRCP noted, pointing to systemic issues in Pakistan’s legal and judicial systems.
Forced Conversions and Blasphemy Accusations
Forced conversions and marriages remain a systematic issue in Sindh, with Hindu girls, including minors, abducted, coerced into converting to Islam, and married to their abductors. The HRCP cited cases like Reena and Raveena, where the Islamabad High Court ruled in favour of the abductors, ignoring the girls’ families’ appeals. Weak enforcement of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013, which sets the legal marriage age at 18, has enabled such practices, with perpetrators exploiting lower marriage age laws in Punjab.
Blasphemy accusations, often unfounded and driven by personal vendettas, have also forced Hindus to flee Sindh. “A Hindu Panchayat leader in Ghotki revealed that two community members had fled to India after being accused of blasphemy,” the report stated, noting that such accusations create an environment of fear and suspicion.
Economic and Environmental Drivers of Migration
Economic hardships, including unemployment and inflation, exacerbate the challenges faced by Sindhi Hindus. The HRCP report noted that Hindu traders face harassment from Muslim business partners who refuse to repay loans and local authorities who issue inflated electricity bills. Climatic conditions, such as extreme heat, further impact agricultural productivity, a key livelihood for many Hindus, driving migration to urban centres like Karachi or abroad to India.
India’s Citizenship Amendment Act: A Lifeline for Sindhi Hindus
India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in 2019 and implemented in March 2024, has provided a pathway for Pakistani Hindus to seek safety and citizenship in India. The HRCP report highlighted that approximately 2,000 Hindu refugees from Sindh have obtained Indian citizenship over the past five years, with 1,200 applications pending. “In Madhya Pradesh, a significant number of these refugees have been granted citizenship,” the report stated, citing a 2021 NDTV report about a family from Jacobabad receiving citizenship in Indore.
Call for Global Action
The JSFM’s statement and the HRCP’s findings paint a grim picture of Pakistan’s role as a hub of terrorism and persecution. Sahito’s appeal to the international community underscores the need for a united response to dismantle Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and support the self-determination of oppressed nations. “We thank India for its leadership and courage in the fight against terrorism sponsored by Pakistan,” Sahito concluded, urging global powers to confront Pakistan’s policies with “moral clarity and strategic action.”
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