US Commission's Stern Message For Pakistan - Don't Deny Coronavirus Aid To Minorities

The United States has urged Pakistan to take care of its minorities and provide all relief material to the communities without any discrimination based on the faith.

US commission on international religious freedom said "these actions are simply reprehensible".

AP

"As COVID-19 continues to spread, vulnerable communities within Pakistan are fighting hunger and to keep their families safe and healthy. Food aid must not be denied because of one¡¯s faith," Anurima Bhargava, Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom said.

It comes in the wake of various news reports suggesting minority groups in Pakistan have been denied basic aid amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Reuters

In Karachi, there have been reports that the Saylani Welfare International Trust, a non-government organisation established to assist the homeless and seasonal workers, has been refusing food assistance to Hindus and Christians, arguing that the aid is reserved for Muslims alone.

USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore said, "In a recent address by Prime Minister (Imran) Khan to the international community, he highlighted that the challenge facing governments in the developing world is to save people from dying of hunger while also trying to halt the spread of COVID-19. This is a monumental task laying before many countries. Prime Minister Khan's government has the opportunity to lead the way but they must not leave religious minorities behind. Otherwise, they may add on top of it all one more crisis, created by religious discrimination and inter-communal strife."

AFP

Following the reports about Hindus and Christians in some parts of Karachi being denied food aid, other NGOs such as the Edhi Foundation and JDC Welfare Organisation had delivered rations to members of the two minority communities.

The Jamaat-e-Islami carried out disinfection spraying in temples and churches in Korangi and Clifton areas of Karachi and distributed cooked food and rations among Hindu and Christian families.

Karachi is home to a substantial number of Hindus and Christians. A majority of Pakistan¡¯s Hindu minority live in Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.