WION's Executive Editor, Palki Sharma Upadhyay and VOA's Ira Mellman discuss the intractable conflict between India & Pakistan with Nadeem Nusrat, Chairperson of Voice of Karachi and South Asia minorities alliance foundation and Yoshita Singh, Chief UN/NY correspondent, Press Trust of India.

Setting the Agenda | India & Pakistan- An intractable conflict

Voice of Karachi chairman Nadeem Nusrat on Saturday said that Pakistan's control is fast slipping into the hands of religious extremist groups, adding that mob violence witnessed after the Supreme Court's acquittal of Asiya Bibi has further tarnished Pakistan's "already-maligned image" globally.

Nusrat also commended the decision of the Pakistani Supreme Court to revoke the death sentence awarded to Asiya Bibi and termed it courageous. He also stated that blasphemy law in the region has been widely abused and is consistently used against the country's poor religious minorities, Asiya Bibi being one of the victims of the same.

He also asserted that the events following the Supreme Court's verdict posed serious questions about Pakistani military establishment's desire to combat extremist forces.

Highlighting the details of the violence that ensued in the wake of the top court verdict, Nusrat said, "mobs of violent vigilantes came on the streets soon after the news broke out and set off hundreds of vehicles, shops and other private and government properties on fire. Open death threats to judges were issued publicly and soldiers of Pakistan army were asked to take up arms and kill their officers. Despite this open display of lawlessness and calls for more violence, the Pakistani military, which spares no effort in crushing peaceful protests by ethnic Mohajirs, Balochs and Pashtuns, failed to take any action against these militants."

He also claimed that the clerics who previously staged an illegal sit-in in Islamabad were responsible for the current wave of violence and asserted that not only was the lawless crowd allowed to continue the sit-in for weeks, but Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials handed out cash to participants to go back after their demands were met.

Nusrat asserted that Pakistan's military agencies supporting religious proxies is a matter of public knowledge and similarly the groups involved in the latest spate of violence have also enjoyed full support from the same agencies. He blamed the establishment's overt and covert support for not pressing charges against 'foul-mouthed, venom spewing clerics'.

He went on to caution that Pakistan's control is fast slipping into the hands of religious extremists who, he claimed, enjoy support from powerful elements within Pakistan's military establishment. "This is a dangerous situation for world peace in general and peace in South Asia in particular, as Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country. The world must pay attention to this growing threat before it gets completely out of hand."

Echoing the stance of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedoms, Nusrat demanded Pakistani authorities to repeal the current controversial blasphemy laws.

"No one should be allowed to abuse any religious personality or religious sentiments and beliefs of any group of people, but blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been widely abused and have been used to unfairly target the country's poor religious minorities. This abhorrent practice must come to an end now," he said in a written statement.

Nusrat also raised a demand for fool-proof protection to the Supreme Court judges who revoked the death sentence of Asiya Bibi.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered for Bibi's immediate release after acquitting her of blasphemy charges. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, read out the verdict and reversed the trial court's order which sentenced her to death.

Voice of Karachi chairman Nadeem Nusrat on Saturday said that Pakistan's control is fast slipping into the hands of religious extremist groups, adding that mob violence witnessed after the Supreme Court's acquittal of Asiya Bibi has further tarnished Pakistan's "already-maligned image" globally.

Voice of Karachi chairman Nadeem Nusrat on Saturday said that Pakistan's control is fast slipping into the hands of religious extremist groups, adding that mob violence witnessed after the Supreme Court's acquittal of Asiya Bibi has further tarnished Pakistan's "already-maligned image" globally. Nusrat also commended the decision of the Pakistani Supreme Court to revoke the death sentence awarded to Asiya Bibi and termed it courageous. He also stated that blasphemy law in the region has been widely abused and is consistently used against the country's poor religious minorities, Asiya Bibi being one of the victims of the same. He also asserted that the events following the Supreme Court's verdict posed serious questions about Pakistani military establishment's desire to combat extremist forces. Highlighting the details of the violence that ensued in the wake of the top court verdict, Nusrat said, "mobs of violent vigilantes came on the streets soon after the news broke out and set off hundreds of vehicles, shops and other private and government properties on fire. Open death threats to judges were issued publicly and soldiers of Pakistan army were asked to take up arms and kill their officers. Despite this open display of lawlessness and calls for more violence, the Pakistani military, which spares no effort in crushing peaceful protests by ethnic Mohajirs, Balochs and Pashtuns, failed to take any action against these militants." He also claimed that the clerics who previously staged an illegal sit-in in Islamabad were responsible for the current wave of violence and asserted that not only was the lawless crowd allowed to continue the sit-in for weeks, but Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials handed out cash to participants to go back after their demands were met. Nusrat asserted that Pakistan's military agencies supporting religious proxies is a matter of public knowledge and similarly the groups involved in the latest spate of violence have also enjoyed full support from the same agencies. He blamed the establishment's overt and covert support for not pressing charges against 'foul-mouthed, venom spewing clerics'. He went on to caution that Pakistan's control is fast slipping into the hands of religious extremists who, he claimed, enjoy support from powerful elements within Pakistan's military establishment. "This is a dangerous situation for world peace in general and peace in South Asia in particular, as Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country. The world must pay attention to this growing threat before it gets completely out of hand." Echoing the stance of the United States Commission for International Religious Freedoms, Nusrat demanded Pakistani authorities to repeal the current controversial blasphemy laws. "No one should be allowed to abuse any religious personality or religious sentiments and beliefs of any group of people, but blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been widely abused and have been used to unfairly target the country's poor religious minorities. This abhorrent practice must come to an end now," he said in a written statement. Nusrat also raised a demand for fool-proof protection to the Supreme Court judges who revoked the death sentence of Asiya Bibi. Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered for Bibi's immediate release after acquitting her of blasphemy charges. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, read out the verdict and reversed the trial court's order which sentenced her to death.

Mob violence further tarnished Pak's globally-tainted image: Nadeem Nusrat

The chairman of Voice of Karachi, Nadeem Nusrat hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan while terming Islamabad government as "military stooge".

Nusrat also called Khan a weak leader and said that he can only design policies but execution and decisions are in the hands of the military.

"Pakistan has been a military state since its inception. Imran Khan can design foreign policies but the question is will he be given enough room to work and execute these policies," Nusrat told ANI.

When asked about Pakistan Foreign Minister Mehmood Shah Qureshi's statement on India's call for the conducive environment, Nusrat asserted that Pakistan is answerable for several things including the freedom given to the leaders of terrorist outfit like Lashkar-e-Taiba.

He also stated that it will be difficult for Pakistan to blame other countries until it resolves its own issues. "It is sad that Pakistan finds it problematic that India helps Afghanistan and accuses Islamabad of spying. Pakistan considers Afghanistan as its backyard and forgets that it is a sovereign state. Pakistan should be held accountable for the killing of 25,000 people in Karachi, abduction of Balochs and Sindhis. Rather than talking about the so-called human rights violation in Kashmir, Pakistan should first resolve these issues," he said.

He further advised Pakistan to work on confidence-building measures "if it wants to improve relations with the neighbouring countries".

The chairman of Voice of Karachi, Nadeem Nusrat hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan while terming Islamabad government as "military stooge". Nusrat also called Khan a weak leader and said that he can only design policies but execution and decisions are in the hands of the military.

The chairman of Voice of Karachi, Nadeem Nusrat hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan while terming Islamabad government as "military stooge". Nusrat also called Khan a weak leader and said that he can only design policies but execution and decisions are in the hands of the military. "Pakistan has been a military state since its inception. Imran Khan can design foreign policies but the question is will he be given enough room to work and execute these policies," Nusrat told ANI. When asked about Pakistan Foreign Minister Mehmood Shah Qureshi's statement on India's call for the conducive environment, Nusrat asserted that Pakistan is answerable for several things including the freedom given to the leaders of terrorist outfit like Lashkar-e-Taiba. He also stated that it will be difficult for Pakistan to blame other countries until it resolves its own issues. "It is sad that Pakistan finds it problematic that India helps Afghanistan and accuses Islamabad of spying. Pakistan considers Afghanistan as its backyard and forgets that it is a sovereign state. Pakistan should be held accountable for the killing of 25,000 people in Karachi, abduction of Balochs and Sindhis. Rather than talking about the so-called human rights violation in Kashmir, Pakistan should first resolve these issues," he said. He further advised Pakistan to work on confidence-building measures "if it wants to improve relations with the neighbouring countries".

Pakistan government a military stooge: Nadeem Nusrat

South Asia Minority Alliance Foundation (SAMAF) Chairman Nadeem Nusrat has warned that Pakistan would plunge into further diplomatic isolation if immediate measures are not taken to address the grievances of the country's ethnic and religious minorities.

He expressed deep concern over reports of unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances of 24 young Christians in Pakistan.

In a statement issued to media, the chairman of US-based advocacy group strongly condemned these acts and demanded immediate recovery of the missing Christians.

South Asia Minority Alliance Foundation is an advocacy group raising awareness about the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in the region.

State brutalities against Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtoons and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have been a common occurrence in Pakistan. Unfortunately, these brutalities have now been extended to country's religious minorities as well, and Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis are being targeted on a daily basis in different parts of the country, the statement quoted Nadeem Nusrat, as saying.

"For years, Mohajirs, Balochs, and Pashtoons have been the victims of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. Hundreds of young Mohajir men have gone missing in Karachi alone having been abducted by Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated security agencies," the statement added.

As per reports emerging from Karachi, Pakistan's Christian minority has also become a target of the notorious practice of enforced disappearances, as at least 24 Christian men have gone missing after being allegedly abducted by Pakistani law enforcement agencies in pre-dawn raids.

"These reports suggest that mask-wearing raiding officers routinely barge into houses of Christians in Karachi, often by forcibly breaking the doors, drag male members out of their beds and take them away," read the statement.

The whereabouts of these men have not been revealed to their family members, lawyers and none has been produced before any court of law as yet.

Nusrat said that there have been numerous armed attacks on churches in Pakistan and the target killing of Christians is on the rise.

In Quetta, the heavily militarized capital city of restive Balochistan province, many Christians have been killed by militants belonging to state-sponsored religious extremists in the last few weeks, alleged Nusrat.

The controversial blasphemy law is also being used to suppress the voice of religious minorities in Pakistan. Many members of religious minorities have been killed by religious zealots or arrested on false charges under the blasphemy laws.

He further said that religious extremist groups working under the patronage of military establishment are fueling hatred and terror against the minorities including Christians. Hardliners within Pakistan's military establishment are using these proxies to impose their hardline religious agenda in the country.

The statement even noted that the minorities in Pakistan are at the mercy of these jihadi groups who are operating freely without any fear.

The SAMAF Chairman said that our organization believes in religious harmony and equal rights for all minorities and is striving for the rights of all deprived classes in the region.

Nusrat said that SAMAF members are raising voice for Christians in their meetings with US lawmakers and at decision-making forums.

Nadeem Nusrat urged the US administration and world community to put more pressure on Pakistani authorities to stop human rights abuses and protect the lives and interests of all minorities in the country.&nbsp

&nbsp

He expressed deep concern over reports of unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances of 24 young Christians in Pakistan

South Asia Minority Alliance Foundation (SAMAF) Chairman Nadeem Nusrat has warned that Pakistan would plunge into further diplomatic isolation if immediate measures are not taken to address the grievances of the country's ethnic and religious minorities. He expressed deep concern over reports of unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances of 24 young Christians in Pakistan. In a statement issued to media, the chairman of US-based advocacy group strongly condemned these acts and demanded immediate recovery of the missing Christians. South Asia Minority Alliance Foundation is an advocacy group raising awareness about the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in the region. State brutalities against Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtoons and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have been a common occurrence in Pakistan. Unfortunately, these brutalities have now been extended to country's religious minorities as well, and Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis are being targeted on a daily basis in different parts of the country, the statement quoted Nadeem Nusrat, as saying. "For years, Mohajirs, Balochs, and Pashtoons have been the victims of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. Hundreds of young Mohajir men have gone missing in Karachi alone having been abducted by Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated security agencies," the statement added. As per reports emerging from Karachi, Pakistan's Christian minority has also become a target of the notorious practice of enforced disappearances, as at least 24 Christian men have gone missing after being allegedly abducted by Pakistani law enforcement agencies in pre-dawn raids. "These reports suggest that mask-wearing raiding officers routinely barge into houses of Christians in Karachi, often by forcibly breaking the doors, drag male members out of their beds and take them away," read the statement. The whereabouts of these men have not been revealed to their family members, lawyers and none has been produced before any court of law as yet. Nusrat said that there have been numerous armed attacks on churches in Pakistan and the target killing of Christians is on the rise. In Quetta, the heavily militarized capital city of restive Balochistan province, many Christians have been killed by militants belonging to state-sponsored religious extremists in the last few weeks, alleged Nusrat. The controversial blasphemy law is also being used to suppress the voice of religious minorities in Pakistan. Many members of religious minorities have been killed by religious zealots or arrested on false charges under the blasphemy laws. He further said that religious extremist groups working under the patronage of military establishment are fueling hatred and terror against the minorities including Christians. Hardliners within Pakistan's military establishment are using these proxies to impose their hardline religious agenda in the country. The statement even noted that the minorities in Pakistan are at the mercy of these jihadi groups who are operating freely without any fear. The SAMAF Chairman said that our organization believes in religious harmony and equal rights for all minorities and is striving for the rights of all deprived classes in the region. Nusrat said that SAMAF members are raising voice for Christians in their meetings with US lawmakers and at decision-making forums. Nadeem Nusrat urged the US administration and world community to put more pressure on Pakistani authorities to stop human rights abuses and protect the lives and interests of all minorities in the country.

Pakistan in deeper isolation if minorities issue remains unaddressed: SAMAF Chairman Nadeem Nusrat

A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC&nbsp;with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region.

Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, met influential US Congressmen and members of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ted Yoho and Tom Garrett, and held another important meeting with House Majority leader Tim McCarthy in Washington DC&nbsp;Representative McCarthy is the front-runner to become the Chairman of the House following the current speaker's decision to not seek the reelection this year.

Nusrat apprised the US lawmakers of the victimisation and persecution of Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns, Gilgitis and Hazaras by the state of Pakistan. He briefed them about the role of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in providing safe havens to terror outfits in the port city of Karachi. He said that the ISI was fueling extremism and terrorism as a tool to advance its own agenda in the region, which was destabilising South Asia.

He also told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the United States and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. He emphasised that the world needed to act to stop human rights abuses in Karachi, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan in order to save innocent human lives.

In these meetings, Nusrat extended his support to the US administration in its efforts to curb terrorism and bring peace, harmony, and stability in South Asia.

The Voice of Karachi has been working to raise global awareness about injustices and human rights violations that Urdu-speaking Mohajirs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been facing in Pakistan. This group has also been running the Free Karachi campaign in the US since January 15 this year.

More than 22,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed in military actions in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances are a routine urban Sindh where hundreds of MQM workers and supporters are missing in the latest phase of security operation launched in 2013.

A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region

A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region. Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, met influential US Congressmen and members of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ted Yoho and Tom Garrett, and held another important meeting with House Majority leader Tim McCarthy in Washington DC Representative McCarthy is the front-runner to become the Chairman of the House following the current speaker's decision to not seek the reelection this year. Nusrat apprised the US lawmakers of the victimisation and persecution of Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns, Gilgitis and Hazaras by the state of Pakistan. He briefed them about the role of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in providing safe havens to terror outfits in the port city of Karachi. He said that the ISI was fueling extremism and terrorism as a tool to advance its own agenda in the region, which was destabilising South Asia. He also told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the United States and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. He emphasised that the world needed to act to stop human rights abuses in Karachi, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan in order to save innocent human lives. In these meetings, Nusrat extended his support to the US administration in its efforts to curb terrorism and bring peace, harmony, and stability in South Asia. The Voice of Karachi has been working to raise global awareness about injustices and human rights violations that Urdu-speaking Mohajirs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been facing in Pakistan. This group has also been running the Free Karachi campaign in the US since January 15 this year. More than 22,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed in military actions in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances are a routine urban Sindh where hundreds of MQM workers and supporters are missing in the latest phase of security operation launched in 2013.

Mohajir activists apprise US lawmakers of human rights violations in Pakistan

Nadeem Nusrat, the spokesperson for the &#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign has said that the Pakistan Army was carrying out &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot; on the minority groups in Pakistan, adding that they were in grave danger.

He extended full support on behalf of the Mohajirs to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan&#39;s inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan.

Nusrat strongly condemned the false cases registered against Manzoor Pashteen and the Pashtun leadership on raising voice against discriminatory policies of Pakistan Army and termed this act as a violation of fundamental rights.

He added that the policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan and stated that the Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and that they will continue to play their important role in achieving the goal.

Nusrat reiterated, &quot;The Free Karachi campaign stands firmly with their Pashtun, Baloch, Gilgiti and Hazara brothers and sisters. Along with the Mohajirs, they have faced 70 years of oppression at the hands of Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Punjabi-dominated elite of Pakistan Army has carried out systematic ethnic cleansing of every minority group in Pakistan and the intensity of this savagery continues to grow with every passing day.&quot;

&quot;Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed. Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins,&quot; he said.

&quot;The Pakistani military establishment in connivance with the racist Pakistan People&#39;s Party (PPP) leadership has also manipulated the census figures in urban Sindh for decades to show the population of Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh less than half of the actual numbers,&quot; he added.

Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan Army, Nusrat stated that the &quot;racist military establishment&quot; and the &quot;Punjabi ruling elite&quot; had purposely diverted Karachi&#39;s resources to areas of their choice in order to create huge economic, social, educational and constitutional disparity in the minority communities.

He also alleged that religious minorities were also being systematically targeted in Pakistan, which led to the drastic reduction of Hindu and Christian populations in Pakistan.

The Mohajir Americans have led the &#39;Free Karachi&#39; campaign in Washington DC and are tirelessly working to highlight the gross human rights abuses against minorities in Pakistan by its army and intelligence agencies.

Nadeem Nusrat has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan's inhuman policies

Nadeem Nusrat, the spokesperson for the 'Free Karachi' campaign has said that the Pakistan Army was carrying out "ethnic cleansing" on the minority groups in Pakistan, adding that they were in grave danger. He extended full support on behalf of the Mohajirs to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and has urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a greater alliance against Pakistan's inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan. Nusrat strongly condemned the false cases registered against Manzoor Pashteen and the Pashtun leadership on raising voice against discriminatory policies of Pakistan Army and termed this act as a violation of fundamental rights. He added that the policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan and stated that the Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and that they will continue to play their important role in achieving the goal. Nusrat reiterated, "The Free Karachi campaign stands firmly with their Pashtun, Baloch, Gilgiti and Hazara brothers and sisters. Along with the Mohajirs, they have faced 70 years of oppression at the hands of Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Punjabi-dominated elite of Pakistan Army has carried out systematic ethnic cleansing of every minority group in Pakistan and the intensity of this savagery continues to grow with every passing day." "Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed. Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins," he said. "The Pakistani military establishment in connivance with the racist Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leadership has also manipulated the census figures in urban Sindh for decades to show the population of Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh less than half of the actual numbers," he added. Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan Army, Nusrat stated that the "racist military establishment" and the "Punjabi ruling elite" had purposely diverted Karachi's resources to areas of their choice in order to create huge economic, social, educational and constitutional disparity in the minority communities. He also alleged that religious minorities were also being systematically targeted in Pakistan, which led to the drastic reduction of Hindu and Christian populations in Pakistan. The Mohajir Americans have led the 'Free Karachi' campaign in Washington DC and are tirelessly working to highlight the gross human rights abuses against minorities in Pakistan by its army and intelligence agencies.

Pakistan Army carrying out ethnic cleansing of minority groups: Nadeem Nusrat

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