India conveys concern to Pak over harassment of Sikhs

Taking serious note of Sikhs being driven away from their homes by Taliban in Pakistan’s northwest region, India conveyed its concerns to Islamabad over the treatment meted out to the minorities in that country.

Taking serious note of Sikhs being driven away from their homes by Taliban in Pakistan’s northwest region, India on Friday conveyed its concerns to Islamabad over the treatment meted out to the minorities in that country.

HT Image

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission here to register its unhappiness over the development. Indian High Commission in Islamabad also conveyed similar views to Pakistan Foreign Office there.

“On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to ‘Jaziya´ (taxes) and other such impositions, the government of India has taken up with Pakistan the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said here.

Reports from Aurakzai said Taliban had imposed ‘Jaziya´ (protection tax imposed on non-Muslims under Shariah law) and destroyed houses of 11 Sikh families who failed to pay the huge tax of Rs 50 million each till April 29 when the deadline expired.

Sources said India conveyed its concerns over the treatment meted out to Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan’s troubled Aurakzai tribal region saying it was a “serious matter”.

Pakistan government has the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of Sikhs who are a minority community in that country, they said.