The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in its fact-finding study titled ‘Exodus: Is the Hindu Community Leaving Sindh?’, highlights the grim realities forcing Hindus, particularly in Sindh, to leave Pakistan en masse.
By Minority Watch
Retak Kumar, a Hindu trader from Ghotki in Sindh province of Pakistan, was abducted by bandits in January 2025. Although the police claimed to have rescued him after 44 days, community leaders revealed that his family had paid a substantial ransom for his release.
This incident echoes a disturbing pattern, as in September 2023, dacoits from the Katcha (riverine) area kidnapped three Hindu community members, including a nine-year-old child, from Kashmore in Sindh. They were released only after days of captivity and ransom payments.
According to recent reports, over 300 Hindus from Kashmore have migrated to India due to rampant lawlessness and fears of abductions.
Many such alarming incidents of violence and discrimination against minorities were exposed in a fact-finding study by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
HRCP unveiled the study titled “Exodus: Is the Hindu Community Leaving Sindh?” at a function at its Karachi office on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Senior journalist Zia-ur-Rehman authored it.
“Despite these disturbing trends, government officials often dismiss such reports as conspiracies rather than addressing systemic failures, further endangering minorities,” HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal said at the launch event.
“If these issues remain unaddressed, Pakistan risks losing a vital part of its cultural and historical fabric,” he added.
Grim Findings
The comprehensive study highlights the grim realities forcing Hindus, particularly in Sindh, to leave Pakistan en masse. It documents systemic discrimination, economic hardships, societal violence, and targeted crimes against the Hindu community.
Field research and interviews with community members confirm a significant migration trend. Community leaders note that this is not a recent phenomenon but part of a historical trajectory marked by key events, such as the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India, in December 1992. That event triggered anti-Hindu violence in Pakistan, including attacks on temples, which intensified the exodus of Hindus to India.
Fear of Kidnappings and Economic Exploitation
Hindus in Sindh remain highly vulnerable to kidnappings and targeted attacks. While religious identity plays a role, the relative wealth of the Hindu community often attracts criminal elements. A Hindu Panchayat leader explained, “Hindus are targeted not only for their faith but because they are perceived as wealthy.”
A Hindu doctor from Jacobabad shared his ordeal: “We avoid venturing outside main cities after evening because of kidnapping fears. Bandits have detailed information about our wealth, businesses, and families.”
The situation is exacerbated by the influence of tribal chieftains who dominate the region. Lacking protection from law enforcement, Hindu businessmen are compelled to enter into exploitative partnerships with powerful tribal leaders, often surrendering 20-30% of their profits to ensure safety. As one businessman explained, “We display their names on our businesses and pay their share yearly to deter bandits.”
Religiously Motivated Violence and Blasphemy Accusations
Religious violence and blasphemy accusations further contribute to the climate of fear. In 2019, a Hindu teacher, Notan Lal, faced baseless blasphemy charges in Ghotki, leading to mob violence and vandalism of a Hindu-owned school and temple. Despite his release in 2024 due to lack of evidence, the damage to community trust remains profound.
Similar incidents, such as the 2016 riots in Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki, following false blasphemy allegations against a Hindu boy, underscore the recurring use of blasphemy laws as a weapon against minorities. A Ghotki university student described the volatile environment: “Imagine the peril Hindus face when even a rumor can spark deadly violence.”
Some victims of blasphemy accusations have fled to India. A Hindu Panchayat leader revealed that two members accused of blasphemy relocated to Indore, India, after realizing their safety could not be guaranteed in Pakistan.
Forced Conversions and the Plight of Hindu Women
Forced conversions and coerced marriages remain endemic in Sindh, particularly in Ghotki. Prominent figures like Mian Abdul Haq (Mian Mithu), a cleric and politician, are accused of facilitating these conversions, often involving underage Hindu girls. Despite laws like the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, enforcement is weak, and perpetrators exploit legal loopholes.
Hindu women’s vulnerability extends to harassment and kidnapping, forcing many families to withdraw daughters from school and relocate to safer areas. An activist recounted, “At a wedding, a tribal chieftain’s son humiliated a Hindu bride. Within months, the family moved to India in fear.”
India’s CAA and Migration Trends
India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 has become a lifeline for Sindhi Hindus. The law provides expedited citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, easing the transition for those fleeing persecution. Established family networks in cities like Nagpur and Raipur further facilitate this migration.
Civil Society and Government Responses
While civil society organizations document abuses and provide legal assistance, their influence is limited, HRCP observes.
Political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), have attempted to legislate against forced conversions, but these efforts often fail under pressure from Islamist groups.
Marginalized within Pakistan’s political framework, Hindus lack adequate representation to advocate for their rights.
Economic hardship and environmental challenges are also causing migration of Hindu minorities, HRCP says in the report.
HRCP’s Recommendations
The HRCP’s report underscores the urgency of meaningful intervention to protect minorities and preserve Sindh’s diverse heritage.
It recommends 10-point measures, including enacting and enforcing stringent laws against forced conversions and child marriages, ensuring victim support in Pakistan.
HRCP suggested strengthening law enforcement in violence-prone areas with specialized independent units, investigating and prosecuting crimes against minorities without delay, and developing economic support programs for minority-populated areas.
Promoting political representation for minorities to amplify their voices in policymaking, as well as fostering dialogue between the government, civil society, and Hindu leaders to address systemic issues, is important for Pakistan.
HRCP Council Member Pushpa Kumari highlighted specific risks faced by Hindu women, such as abductions, forced conversions, and child marriages, which remain pervasive issues. HRCP Sindh Vice Chair Qazi Khizer Habib also addressed the gathering, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures.
