Islamabad / Washington DC: Widespread criticism of Pakistan’s decision to refuse food for religious minorities of both Christian and Hindu communities during the corona outbreak. Pakistan has been criticized by the Karachi-based Saylani Welfare International Trust for refusing to feed its religious minorities, including Christians and Hindus. The allegation that the state has been silent on the matter is strong. At the same time, international protests are intensifying in the international arena.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has condemned the move. The Freedom of Religion (NGO) Commissioner Anirima Bhargava said the refusal of food for the poor in Pakistan due to restrictions imposed by the coronation campaign was a disgraceful act. The commission asked the Pakistani government to ensure that food was distributed evenly on religious grounds.
Referring to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement that developing countries face the challenge of preventing deaths due to hunger, the commission said it was now time for the government to lead the mission and not to ignore religious minorities. Last year’s Annual Report of the American Religious Freedom Commission specifically noted that Christians and Hindus in Pakistan were discriminated against and abused in society.
