Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - Four Hindus doctors have been murdered in the province of Sindh (southern Pakistan), in their clinic in Chak, a town near Shikarpur (in the North of Sindh). As reported to Fides by local sources, Dr. Ashok, Dr Naresh, Dr. Ajeet and Dr. Satia Paul were killed yesterday by armed assailants, while they were working in their clinic. The cold-blooded murder generated fear and protests among the Hindu religious minorities, but also among Christians. Police said they arrested two suspects, saying that the killings could be the basis of the dispute between some Hindus and the local Muslim Brotherhood "Bhaya Baradari", which took place a few weeks ago, concerning a Hindu girl forced to marry a Muslim. The Hindus are a substantial minority in the province of Sindh (about 2 million) and there are more than about 50,000 in Chak.
"It is not the first time that members of our community have been targeted by extremists. And the police tend to support the criminals involved in such acts" complained Ramesh Kumar, president of the Pakistan Hindu Council, urging the government to "provide adequate protection to minorities". The Hindu Council of Pakistan appealed to President Asif Zardari, who just a few days ago, during the Hindu festival of Deewali, had reiterated his commitment to protect minorities and ensure their equal rights.
Fr. Mario Rodrigues, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan, told Fides: "It is another episode that clearly shows how the lives of minorities is insecure and with no protection". Prof. Mobeen Shahid, Pakistani scholar and historian reminds Fides: "Religious minorities in Pakistan have always had a hard life and suffered mass persecution: let us remember sensational episodes in 1952 (in Moza matta), in 1962 (Anarkali, Lahore), in 1997 (in Shantinagar), in 2009 (in Gojra) as well as many other minor episodes. When a member of the minority, the Catholic A. R. Cornelius, became Judge of the Supreme Court, his new draft regarding the new Constitution was rejected because due to the fact that it was written by a non-Muslim citizen was unacceptable. Today it is clear that there is discrimination in education and society, and even those measures in favor of minorities (as a share of 5% of seats reserved in public administration) are not applied". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/11/2011)
