Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a fact-finding report titled "Migration: Are Hindus Leaving Sindh?" which highlights the increasing migration of Hindu families from Sindh due to multiple challenges, including religious violence, economic hardships, and climate change.
The report underscores the state’s failure to protect one of its most vulnerable minorities. According to HRCP, many Hindu families are compelled to leave Sindh not only due to religious persecution but also due to economic pressures and environmental changes.
A government official from Sindh acknowledged awareness of the issues faced by Hindus and stated that policies are being formulated to ensure their protection.
On January 22, the HRCP launched its findings in Karachi, presenting them in booklet form. The report, based on media coverage and HRCP’s internal investigations, reveals significant concerns regarding the treatment of Hindus in Sindh.
As per the 2023 census, Pakistan’s population stands at 240.5 million, with Hindus making up the largest minority at 5.2 million, predominantly residing in Sindh.
HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt highlighted that incidents of violence and discrimination against the Hindu community in Sindh are underreported. He noted that many members of the community are forced to migrate to countries like India, often at great personal cost.
The report references a 2014 statement by a Hindu parliamentarian, claiming that around 5,000 Hindus migrate to India annually.
The report also notes that historical events, such as the demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India, in 1992, have had repercussions on Hindus in Sindh, leading to targeted violence against the community.
According to the statistics, Hindus in northern Sindh regions such as Ghotki, Jacobabad, Kashmore, and adjacent areas face multiple problems including religious violence, kidnappings for ransom, forced conversions of young girls and climate-induced challenges.
Rajveer Singh Sodha, an advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister on human rights, admitted during the HRCP event that some Hindu families have migrated due to extortion by criminal groups during periods of lawlessness. He stated that the provincial government is aware of these issues and is working on policies to safeguard the Hindu community.
The HRCP’s report suggests that collecting accurate data on the number of Hindus migrating from Pakistan, deploying law enforcement in areas prone to violence against minorities and enforcing laws to prevent forced conversions and child marriages can give relief to Hindu community in Pakistan.
The HRCP’s findings align with criticisms by local and international human rights organizations about the treatment of minorities in Pakistan.
In 2023, a U.S. report on human rights in Pakistan stated there was no significant improvement in the situation, citing continued violations. The report criticized the Pakistani government for its inadequate efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Back then, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the U.S. report as "biased" and "based on inaccurate information." It maintained that Pakistan remains committed to strengthening its human rights framework and promoting international human rights agendas.
The HRCP has called on the Sindh and federal governments to create a safe environment for Hindus and implement existing laws effectively to protect minority rights.
