The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’ affaires Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest at the recent acts of vandalism of the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and the targeted killing of a Sikh named S. Ravinder Singh who was shot dead in Peshawar. He is the brother of S. Harmeet Singh, who is Pakistan’s first Sikh journalist in electronic media.
Pakistan was asked to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
Pakistan was also asked to ensure the safety and well being of the minorities in Pakistan.
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It was only last year that a Sikh Member of the Provincial Assembly belonging to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party sought asylum in India and exposed the claims of the PM of Pakistan, who has been trying to portray an image of well being and empowerment of the minorities.
Earlier in the day, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, led a delegation of Sikh leaders and met the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on to apprise him of the deteriorating and undignified treatment meted out to members of the Sikh community living in Pakistan.
In a note of representation submitted to the Minister, the delegation demanded strict action including arrest and highest punishment possible for Imran Chisti, who led a violent mob and pelted stones at the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib on Friday. He was also heard threatening the Sikhs that he shall make their lives miserable and the place of Nankana Sahib shall be renamed as Ghulam- e- Mustafa.
The delegation requested the External Affairs Minister to ensure the prosecution of those responsible for these crimes.
These two incidents are amongst the many reported and unreported crimes being perpetrated against the vulnerable minorities of Pakistan. They are subjected to discriminatory treatment, forced conversions, sexual assault amongst other crimes.
The delegation also requested the EAM to raise this issue at appropriate forums such as the UN and the UN Human Rights body.