Pilgrimage mere 'cover' for 'scared' migrating Pak Hindus, claim activists

Islamabad: Pakistan civil societies have expressed concern over Hindus travelling across the border, saying they were actually migrating to India, and that the 'pilgrimage' was actually a cover for them to leave Pakistan.

This comes after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a report to Interior Minister Rehman Malik, stating that the 'migration' was nothing but pilgrimage, and that the families would return as soon as they wrap up their religious visit.

Dr. Hassan Nasir, senior vice president of Awami Party Pakistan (APP) fears the families would never return.

"The reason is they no longer feel safe living in Pakistan. They are blatantly robbed of their property, their valuables, their daughters are forcibly married and converted and the government does nothing," The Express Tribune quoted Nasir, as saying.

Meanwhile, Malik has asked the FIA Director General Muhammad Anwar Virk to compile details and submit a report probing every complaint of forced conversions and marriages.

Malik also asked him to assist the committee constituted by President Asif Ali Zardari to look into complaints made by the Hindu community in Sindh.

"We will not allow anyone to over step the Constitution of Pakistan which provides full rights to minorities for practicing their religion," said Malik.