Mian Abdul Haq, a Pakistani Muslim cleric, is among 30 human rights violators sanctioned by the UK, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced on Friday (Dec 9) to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day.&nbsp;

Haq of the Bharchundi Sharif shrine, Sindh has been accused of forced conversions and marriages of girls and women from minorities, including Hindus. He is a politician in Sindh with a fair amount of influence and has been criticised for the forced confessions, the PTI&nbsp; news agency reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-and-rajapaksa-2022-was-a-year-of-political-ousters-in-south-asia-541811">Also read |&nbsp;Imran Khan and Rajapaksa: 2022 was a year of political ousters in South Asia</a>

"It is our duty to promote free and open societies around the world. Today, our sanctions go further to expose those behind the heinous violations of our most fundamental rights to the account. We are committed to using every lever at our disposal to secure a future of freedom over fear," said Cleverly.&nbsp;

The sanction package includes individuals and entities involved in activities like torturing prisoners, mobilisation of troops to rape civilians and many more.&nbsp;

These sanctions include freezing assets and a travel ban on the violators. It also prevents UK citizens and businesses from having financial deals or resources owned by the person.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fighting-for-nations-freedom-imran-khan-announces-a-11-day-campaign-for-long-march-warns-ruling-govt-541041">Also read |&nbsp;'Fighting for nation's true freedom': Imran Khan announces 11-day campaign for long march</a>

Andrey Tishenin from the Russian Federal Security Service in Crimea and Artur Shambazov, a senior detective, are also on the list for torturing Ukrainian Oleksandr Kostenko in 2015.&nbsp;

Uganda's Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police, has been sanctioned for overlooking several human rights violations in the country between 2005 and 2018.&nbsp;

The list further includes top Iranian officials and the Myanmar junta for sexual abuse.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mian Abdul Haq, a Pakistani Muslim cleric, is among 30 human rights violators sanctioned by the UK, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced on Friday (Dec 9) to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day.

Mian Abdul Haq, a Pakistani Muslim cleric, is among 30 human rights violators sanctioned by the UK, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced on Friday (Dec 9) to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day. Haq of the Bharchundi Sharif shrine, Sindh has been accused of forced conversions and marriages of girls and women from minorities, including Hindus. He is a politician in Sindh with a fair amount of influence and has been criticised for the forced confessions, the PTI news agency reported. Also read | Imran Khan and Rajapaksa: 2022 was a year of political ousters in South Asia "It is our duty to promote free and open societies around the world. Today, our sanctions go further to expose those behind the heinous violations of our most fundamental rights to the account. We are committed to using every lever at our disposal to secure a future of freedom over fear," said Cleverly. The sanction package includes individuals and entities involved in activities like torturing prisoners, mobilisation of troops to rape civilians and many more. These sanctions include freezing assets and a travel ban on the violators. It also prevents UK citizens and businesses from having financial deals or resources owned by the person. Also read | 'Fighting for nation's true freedom': Imran Khan announces 11-day campaign for long march Andrey Tishenin from the Russian Federal Security Service in Crimea and Artur Shambazov, a senior detective, are also on the list for torturing Ukrainian Oleksandr Kostenko in 2015. Uganda's Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police, has been sanctioned for overlooking several human rights violations in the country between 2005 and 2018. The list further includes top Iranian officials and the Myanmar junta for sexual abuse. (With inputs from agencies)

Pak cleric accused of forced conversions among list of 30 entities sanctioned by the UK

Another tragedy is unfolding daily in Pakistan of forced conversion of minor Hindu girls.

In the last 26 days, three minor girls have been abducted and converted into Islam in the country.&nbsp;

The name of these girls are: Arti Meghwar, Reena Meghwar and Kavita Bai.

The families of these girls are fighting for justice, but the Pakistani judiciary couldn't be bothered less.

Let us begin with the story of Kavita, a 13-year-old&nbsp;who was kidnapped on March 8 from her home.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protests-grow-in-pakistan-over-abduction-forced-conversion-of-catholic-teen-338958">Protests grow in Pakistan over abduction, forced conversion of Catholic teen</a>

Kavita's father said that five men dragged his daughter from their home and fled.

She was then brought before a cleric who held a public conversion ceremony.

Some old men gathered around her and formed a circle and read some Islamic prayers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-being-a-hindu-in-pakistan-369808">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-being-a-hindu-in-pakistan-369808/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The images are disturbing, to say the least.

Pakistan authorities said that the girl claims to be over 18-years-old and has converted of her own free will.

This is an excuse that we hear over and over and over again.

Every time a minor girl is converted, Pakistan says she did so willfully.

<h2>Matter of free will!</h2>

In August 2020, a 14-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz was abducted and married in a similar fashion.

The court called it a matter of free will.&nbsp;

In October 2020, a 13-year-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja was abducted in broad daylight, converted to Islam and then married to her abductor.

The Pakistan judiciary again called it a matter of free will.&nbsp;

When the court hearing of Arzoo's case was held in Karachi, her mother was not even allowed inside the courtroom.

She begged and cried as the court made a mockery of the law.

The above cases make it clear that Pakistan's judiciary, lawmakers, government, clerics and their followers, all seem to be hand in glove in tormenting the minorities of their country. 
&nbsp;

Another tragedy is unfolding daily in Pakistan of forced conversion of minor Hindu girls. In the last 26 days, three minor girls have been abducted and converted into Islam in the country.

Another tragedy is unfolding daily in Pakistan of forced conversion of minor Hindu girls. In the last 26 days, three minor girls have been abducted and converted into Islam in the country. The name of these girls are: Arti Meghwar, Reena Meghwar and Kavita Bai. The families of these girls are fighting for justice, but the Pakistani judiciary couldn't be bothered less. Let us begin with the story of Kavita, a 13-year-old who was kidnapped on March 8 from her home. Also read | Protests grow in Pakistan over abduction, forced conversion of Catholic teen Kavita's father said that five men dragged his daughter from their home and fled. She was then brought before a cleric who held a public conversion ceremony. Some old men gathered around her and formed a circle and read some Islamic prayers. WATCH | The images are disturbing, to say the least. Pakistan authorities said that the girl claims to be over 18-years-old and has converted of her own free will. This is an excuse that we hear over and over and over again. Every time a minor girl is converted, Pakistan says she did so willfully. Matter of free will! In August 2020, a 14-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz was abducted and married in a similar fashion. The court called it a matter of free will. In October 2020, a 13-year-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja was abducted in broad daylight, converted to Islam and then married to her abductor. The Pakistan judiciary again called it a matter of free will. When the court hearing of Arzoo's case was held in Karachi, her mother was not even allowed inside the courtroom. She begged and cried as the court made a mockery of the law. The above cases make it clear that Pakistan's judiciary, lawmakers, government, clerics and their followers, all seem to be hand in glove in tormenting the minorities of their country.

How minorities in Pakistan continue to suffer from forced conversions, marriages

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany.

Despite the consistent barbaric attacks on minority and vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in his own country, Imran chose to call India a 'totalitarian, racist state' during an interview at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF in Davos, Imran said that India is following the footsteps of Adolf Hitler.

"I fear that India will change into a fascist, totalitarian, racist state from liberal democracy," Imran added.

Imran Khan made these comments despite knowing that Pakistan has become a hub of sex crimes, child abuse and forced conversions. The shocking incidents of young non-Muslim girls being made to convert to Islam have become a daily occurrence in Pakistan.&nbsp;

This isn't the first incident of Imran Khan making the audacious correlation between India and Nazi Germany. He brought it up in December in discourse to a gathering of Pakistani-American specialists, just as in a tweet back in August. The Pakistani head has been savagely condemning of the new Indian law CAA that would facilitate citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, as well as revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in another desperate attack against India has accused the present government of leading the secular country down to the path of Nazi Germany. Despite the consistent barbaric attacks on minority and vandalism at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in his own country, Imran chose to call India a 'totalitarian, racist state' during an interview at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF in Davos, Imran said that India is following the footsteps of Adolf Hitler. "I fear that India will change into a fascist, totalitarian, racist state from liberal democracy," Imran added. Imran Khan made these comments despite knowing that Pakistan has become a hub of sex crimes, child abuse and forced conversions. The shocking incidents of young non-Muslim girls being made to convert to Islam have become a daily occurrence in Pakistan. This isn't the first incident of Imran Khan making the audacious correlation between India and Nazi Germany. He brought it up in December in discourse to a gathering of Pakistani-American specialists, just as in a tweet back in August. The Pakistani head has been savagely condemning of the new Indian law CAA that would facilitate citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, as well as revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

Pakistan, a hub of forced conversion accuses India of totalitarianism and racism

Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../pakistan-a-hub-of-forced-conversion-accuses- india-of-totalitarianism-and-racism-276082">Imran Khan</a> landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-transparency-in-cpec-projects-companies-blacklisted-by-world-bank-got-contracts-alice-wells-275962">No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells</a>

In an interview with Foreign Policy at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../afghanistans-ghani-says-relationship-with-trump -is-excellent-276029">World Economic Forum</a> in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china- virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China</a> and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter.
</div>

Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister.

Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately.

The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things. Also read- No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells In an interview with Foreign Policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message. One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in China and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter. Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister. Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately. The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

For Pakistan PM, atrocities over 2 million Uighur Muslims is 'nothing', says he won't criticise China because 'they helped us'

From terrorism to Forced conversions, India counters Pakistan at UNHRC. Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Siddhant Sibbal brings you the latest updates.

Today Tonight: India counters Pakistan at UNHRC

A daughter of a Granthi of Gurudwara Tambu Sahib in Nankana Sahib was 'abducted' and 'forcibly converted to Islam' in Pakistan. Watch this video to know more.

Sikh girl 'abducted' and 'forcibly converted to Islam' in Pakistan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-election-disaster-britains-main-parties-to-offer-brexit-clarity-221998">After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity</a>

Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-national-assembly-passes-resolution-to-prevent-forced-conversions-221987">Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions&nbsp;</a>

The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country.

The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/industrial-body-says-modi-needs-to-cut-tax-interest-rates-to-revive-economy-ahead-of-inauguration-222012">Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of &nbsp;inauguration&nbsp;</a>

India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-any-us-trade-talks-must-be-based-on-mutual-respect-221968">China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect'&nbsp;</a>

China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-results-create-vacancies-in-uttar-pradesh-cabinet-first-reshuffle-likely-soon-221963">Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon</a>

The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections.

After European election disaster, Britain's main parties to offer Brexit clarity Britain's two main parties promised on Monday to work to resolve the deadlock over Brexit, hoping to win back voters who abandoned them for a new movement led by eurosceptic Nigel Farage at European elections. Pakistan National Assembly adopts resolution to prevent forced conversions The National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday adopted a resolution to prevent forced conversions in the country. The resolution seeks to criminalise forced conversions and recommends an imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to one million Pakistan rupees for anyone found indulging in forced conversion. Industrial body says Modi needs to cut tax, interest rates to revive economy ahead of inauguration India's slowing economic growth is of serious concern and the country needs to urgently cut tax and interest rates to revive the economy, a top industrial body said on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term. China says any US trade talks must be based on 'mutual respect' China on Monday said any US trade talks must be based on "mutual respect" and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal. Lok Sabha results create vacancies in Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, first reshuffle likely soon The BJP's massive win in Uttar Pradesh has paved the way for the first reshuffle of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's council of ministers as three ministers have won the Lok Sabha election creating vacancies in the state Cabinet.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan's National Assembly has adopted a resolution to save minorities from forced conversions of religions. Watch this video to know more.

Pak National Assembly adopts resolution to save minorities from forced conversions

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