Targeted Killings in Pakistan: Safety of Minorities in Question
There has been a disturbing rise in the targeted killing of minorities and government critics in Pakistan, raising serious concerns about human rights, press freedom, and the functioning of democracy in the country.
A Farcical Press Conference
Recently, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, held a press conference in Islamabad alongside the country’s interior secretary, Khurram Mohammad Agha. There, he shamelessly claimed that Pakistan is a democratic country that respects minority rights. However, the ground reality paints a grim and contradictory picture.
Ahmadiyyas – Victims of Systematic Persecution
Ahmadiyyas in Pakistan face constant harassment. Their places of worship are regularly attacked and destroyed. The community is ostracized, humiliated, and forced to flee the country. Living peacefully as an Ahmadi in Pakistan has become nearly impossible.
Christians – Treated as Subhuman
In many areas of Pakistan, Christians are relegated to cleaning sewers and toilets—the only jobs often available to them. They are not treated as equals and are socially excluded. In remote parts of the country, Christians are forced to live in slums and remain marginalized.
Hindu Girls – Abduction, Forced Marriage, and Conversion
The abduction of Hindu minor girls, their forced marriage to older Muslim men, and coercive religious conversions have become widespread. These actions are not isolated incidents but appear to be part of a broader, systemic plan. Shockingly, the victims’ families are often punished for filing complaints or seeking justice.
Media – Silenced into Submission
Freedom of the press in Pakistan is an illusion. Journalists who expose military or government wrongdoings are targeted, abducted, or even killed. News organizations that publish such content are shut down. A stark example of this was the recent murder of a Baloch journalist by the Pakistani army.
Balochistan – A Region Under Siege
In 1948, Pakistan used military force to occupy Balochistan. Since then, there have been multiple large-scale military operations, forced displacements, mass killings, and disappearances. Anyone who speaks up for Baloch rights is treated as a traitor and silenced.
Thousands of Baloch citizens have disappeared mysteriously. Mass graves have been uncovered in the region. Civil society, activists, and student leaders face constant threats, and many have been abducted or assassinated.
The Rise of Dr. Mahrang Baloch
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader fighting for Baloch rights, has become a national and international icon. She was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite her massive support among the Baloch people, General Chaudhry falsely claimed she lacks public backing—an outright lie that only exposes the government’s ignorance and denial.
Pakistan’s Habitual Lies
To distract the global community from its atrocities in Balochistan, Pakistan constantly accuses India of supporting Baloch militants. These claims are unfounded. India did not invade Balochistan in 1948—Pakistan did. India has not conducted military operations killing thousands of civilians in Balochistan—Pakistan has.
Nor has India abducted and murdered Baloch activists or buried their bodies in mass graves. Pakistan, on the other hand, has a long, documented history of such atrocities.
A State That Punishes the Victims
Instead of punishing the perpetrators of these crimes, the Pakistani state often punishes the victims. If victims’ families demand justice or raise their voices, they are accused of defaming the country and are met with threats or imprisonment.
Suppressing the Truth with Propaganda
Pakistan consistently misleads international audiences. It manipulates foreign diplomats, fabricates stories in international forums, and presents a false image of democracy. Rather than address internal issues, the state focuses on deflecting blame—often targeting India in the process.
Pakistan today stands as a state where minority rights are trampled, freedom of expression is crushed, and dissent is equated with treason. The systematic persecution of Ahmadiyyas, Christians, Hindus, Shias, and Balochs is not accidental—it is state-enabled and sometimes state-led.
Until Pakistan confronts its own brutal actions and holds its military and political leaders accountable, the international community must treat its claims with skepticism. No amount of staged press conferences can erase the truth: minorities and dissidents in Pakistan live in constant fear.
Targeted Killings in Pakistan: Safety of Minorities in Question AthibAn Tv (En)
