ISLAMABAD, The mob arrived at around midnight, brandishing clubs. They smashed statues, looted gold artefacts and then set the Hindu temple ablaze.
An accusation of blasphemy sparked the attack in the town of Larkana, human rights activists said, part of a spike in violence against Hindus in a predominately Muslim nation.
March was the worst month for attacks on Hindus in 20 years with five temples attacked, up from nine during the whole of 2013, said Life for All, a Pakistani rights group. But it’s not just Hindus who feel victimised.
All of Pakistan’s minorities — Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis and even Shia Muslims — feel that the state fails to protect them, and even tolerates violence against them.
Many complain the problem has become worse since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came to power last year.
The US Commission on Religious Freedom said in a recent report that conditions had “hit an all-time low” and governments had failed to adequately protect minorities and arrest perpetrators of crimes against them.
“Pakistan is increasingly failing to protect its minorities for two broad reasons: principally, rising religious intolerance and the space ceded to violent ideologies,” said Sherry Rehman, who was a government minister and ambassador to the United States under the previous administration.
Many Pakistani Hindus in the richest province of Punjab are feeling beleaguered and increasingly looking to get out. More than 100 families are leaving for India each month, rights groups say.
Among those who have gone were Munawar Jee’s brothers and their families after his married sister was kidnapped last year. Her abductors got her certified as a Muslim convert and re-married her off the next day.
“Losing my sister is the biggest regret of my life,” Jee said at his shoe shop in Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan district. He said he would soon join his family in India.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid did not return calls seeking comment. A government spokesman rejected the suggestion that authorities were not doing enough to help Hindus.
“The government is committed to protect its religious minorities,” said Shoaib Bin Aziz, adding he was not aware of an increase of Hindus leaving. He denied that the provincial government was soft on militancy.
“Terrorists are not friends of anyone,” he said. “The Punjab government does not have soft corner for any terrorist organisation.”
/129
