Rising crimes against religious minorities is an alarm bell: NCJP

Lahore, Pakistan: February 26, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) has called the urgent attention of the government on frequent incidents of violence, crime posing grave threat to the life liberty and property of the members of religious minorities in the country.

Referring to killing of Jaspal Singh and kidnapping of Mahal Singh for ransom 20 millions rupee in Khyber Agency, the Chairperson of NCJP Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha and Peter Jacob, the Executive Secretary said, this was not a solitary incident of brutality against the religious minorities in Pakistan. Such incidents have happened before involving victims from Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities. 

The statement said that a lethargic attitude on part of the government has encouraged the Incidence of imposition of Jazia (a tax for being Non-Muslim) by militant organizations, kidnapping for ransom, target killing and internal displacement in frequency in Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Baluchistan.  The Federal and Provincial Governments should treat these incidents as alarm bell and must take stringent measures to control the situation.

“While Sikh community has become an easy prey for the militants in NWFP, the Hindu community has faced violent crimes in Sindh and Baluchistan in past a few years.  Dozens of Hindus have lost their lives and property to kidnappers. Recently, Mr. Amar Lal from Qilaat and Mr. Vishal Kumar (8) from Dera Murad Jamali belonging to Hindu community, were kidnapped last weeks”, the statement further said.

NCJP demanded that the Government should protect the religious minorities on priority as they happen to be one of the most vulnerable groups to social and organized crimes. They demanded; efforts to have the kidnapped people released from the criminals, an immediate action against the killing and kidnapping members of minority communities. NCJP also recommended the repeal of all discriminatory laws to promote tolerance and social harmony. 

Lawrence John Saldanha
Chairperson                           

Peter Jacob
Executive Secretary 

Note: The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), a human rights body of the Catholic Church of Pakistan working since 1985.