US Congressional Briefing Highlights Human Rights Violations Against Minorities in Pakistan
Washington, DC [US], March 13: Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has made explosive claims about the severe discrimination he faced in Pakistan, alleging that his cricketing career was deliberately destroyed due to his Hindu faith. Speaking at the Congressional Briefing on ‘Plight of Minorities in Pakistan’, Kaneria stated that he never received equal respect and value in his home country and that minorities, especially Hindus, continue to suffer grave human rights violations in Pakistan.
Kaneria, who played 61 Tests for Pakistan, is only the second Hindu cricketer to represent the country after Anil Dalpat. His remarks at the briefing underscored the deep-rooted religious bias against minorities in Pakistan, reinforcing concerns raised by activists and global human rights organizations.
Kaneria’s Testimony: “I Was Denied Respect and Equality”
At the event, Kaneria candidly spoke about his experiences, saying:
“Today, we all gathered here to highlight the discrimination minorities face in Pakistan. I also faced severe discrimination, and my career was destroyed. I never got equal respect or value in Pakistan. All the people who came here today have experienced similar injustice. The main objective is to create awareness, especially in the US, about the suffering of minorities in Pakistan and demand action against these violations.”
Kaneria’s testimony sheds light on Pakistan’s systemic oppression of religious minorities, particularly in sports and professional fields. He had previously spoken about how he was mistreated by teammates and cricket authorities simply because of his faith.
US Congressman Calls for Sanctions Against Pakistan
Indian-American US Congressman Shri Thanedar, who attended the event, strongly condemned the persecution of Hindus in Pakistan and urged the US State Department to take concrete action, including economic sanctions against Pakistan.
“I am here to support Hindus and their fight for basic human rights. The atrocities in Pakistan against Hindu minorities—forced conversions, kidnappings, and religious persecution—must stop. I urge the US State Department to not only condemn these violations but also impose economic sanctions on Pakistan until these human rights abuses end.”
Thanedar’s comments echo growing concerns within the international community about Pakistan’s mistreatment of minorities.
Women and Journalists Speak Out Against Pakistan’s Human Rights Violations
Zeba Mohammed Arif, another speaker at the event, called out the Pakistani government for suppressing minorities and women, stating:
“We are here to speak for the voiceless. The Pakistani government has been oppressing minority communities, particularly women. They face discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. It is time we raise their voices and demand justice.”
Former Wall Street Journal journalist Asra Nomani also took the stage, recalling the brutal murder of her colleague Daniel Pearl in 2002, emphasizing the dangers faced by minorities in Pakistan.
“I saw firsthand in Karachi the horrors of sectarianism. My friend Daniel Pearl was kidnapped, beheaded, and cut into pieces. Decades later, Pakistan still denies equal rights and freedoms to its minorities. This injustice must end.”
Pakistan’s Record on Minority Rights Under Scrutiny
Pakistan has long been criticized for its human rights abuses against Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and other religious minorities. Forced conversions, blasphemy laws, and systemic discrimination have made life difficult for non-Muslims in the country. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions.
Call for Action: Will the US Impose Sanctions?
With strong voices like Danish Kaneria and US Congressman Shri Thanedar pushing for action, the pressure is mounting on the US government to take a firm stance against Pakistan. The demand for sanctions and international scrutiny continues to grow as the human rights situation deteriorates further in Pakistan.
As the world watches, the question remains—will the US and global leaders take decisive action to end Pakistan’s persecution of its minorities?
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