The Hindu community is several parts of Sindh is under threat of being targeted after Pakistan woman fled to India over a freewill marriage, that has captivated people in both countries.
A woman named Seema Haider Jakhhrani went across the border to be with a man of her choice. She also claimed to have married the Hindu man and converted to Hinduism, sparking outrage and calls that she and her four children should be returned.
The Hindu community in Kashmore and Ghotki districts was targettted in an apparent hate crime and retaliation over the cross-border inter-faith relationship. Security has been tightened in several parts of the province over possible attack on the minority community.
A Hindu temple in Kashmore district was attacked by dacoits, leaving bullet holes in its walls, sparking fear in the hearts of the local community. Unidentified miscreants opened fire on the house of a Hindu businessman next door and an unexploded mortar was also found the site
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said it was ‘alarmed’ by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh.
It said there were reports that 30 members of the Hindu community including women and children have allegedly been held hostage by organised ‘criminal gangs’. HRCP also said that threats of attack on the community’s places of worship using ‘high grade weapons’.
The threatened against the Hindu community were issued notorious dacoit Rano Shar from Ghotki. He said Seema must be brought back to Pakistan or Hindus living in Pakistan would be ‘responsible for their own safety’. He also added that he would ‘bomb’ the community’s place of worship.
Shar actually issued his threat in a video in addressed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as well as other members of parliament. Later similar threats had been issued by other dacoits about possible attacks in Karampur and Ghauspur areas of Sindh.
After the incident, Shar condemned the attacks in Ghauspur and Karampur. He added that the Hindus in Pakistan were not to blame, but Seema should be brought back.
Another dacoit of Kashmore, Abdul Malik Jagirani, claimed he has attacked the Hindu temple. He said SSP Irfan Samo should bring back Seema Haider or he will attack more temples.
Jagirani threatened to kill all policemen deployed at the temples and will attack the temples, brandishing his modern weapons along with his aide at an unidentified location.
Another incident happened when a 150-year-old temple was reportedly demolished near soldier Bazar in Karachi. The report claimed that the incident happened as the area was plunged into darkness during load shedding and only the boundary wall of the place of worship was left standing.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab denied the incident and said that no such demolition has taken place and the temple is still intact. He said the administration has intervened and the Hindu Panchayat has been asked to assist police in ascertaining the facts.
