Another case of persecution: 17 year old girl kidnapped in Pakistan, converted to Islam

The persecution of Hindus continues in Pakistan. Another a day has gone by and the authorities have yet again failed to take action on this horrific issue

The persecution of Hindus in Pakistan continues unabated and now a 17-year old Hindu girl in Sindh was kidnapped and converted to Islam.

The minor girl is a resident of Naukot, Mirpur Khas district in Pakistan's Sindh province in Pakistan. According to members of her family, the girl was kidnapped on February 15 from Naukot market where she had gone with her younger brother to purchase vegetables.

Her brother said that the girl was being taunted by one Rouf, a resident of Umerkot and his two friends. When the siblings reached Naukot market, Rouf along with his friends forcefully took the girl away with them.

Ramesh Bheel the father of the girl said that the Naukot police only made entries in the records of the missing persons. However no FIR has been registered against Rouf and his friends, Bheel also said.

The police stressed that she may have left with Rouf of her own will and he should wait another before a kidnapping case can be registered against the accused, the girl's father was told by the police.

On February 19, the family of the victim were called by the police and a certificate dated February 18 was given in which it was mentioned that the girl had embraced Isla. The police also said that the girl changed her name after the conversion.

The police said that the girl on a telephone call confirmed that she had accepted Islam and she desires to resident with Rouf's family in Samandkhala, Umerkot.

The girl's father now fears that he may never be able to meet his daughter anymore as she would be married to her kidnapper when she turns a major in three months.

Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan:

The persecution of Hindus in Pakistan remains a major concern with the respective administration not making any efforts to solve the problem.

Hindus in Pakistan have faced discrimination, violence and forced conversions. Hindus are treated as second class citizens and are excluded from various social, economic and political opportunities. What has made matters worse is that the discrimination has ben institutionalised in various ways, including blasphemy laws which have been used to target Hindus and the other minorities.

The persecution includes kidnappings, forced conversions and attacks on Hindu Temples and homes.

The situation of Hindus in Pakistan is particularly dire in the province of Sindh, where the majority of the Hindu population lives. Many Hindu families in Sindh work as bonded labourers, which make them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.