Karachi, Pakistan – A prominent Pakistani academician is calling upon the government to reconsider its stance on persecuted religious minorities in neighboring India. Dr. Moonis Ahmar, a former Dean Faculty of Social Science at the University of Karachi, believes Pakistan has a moral obligation to offer refuge to Indian Muslims enduring persecution.
In a recent column for Tribune.com.pk, Dr. Ahmar highlighted the historical context of Pakistan's founding, asserting that providing a safe homeland for Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent was a core principle. He questions why the influx of Indian Muslims seeking refuge in Pakistan largely halted after 1951.
"If Pakistan was created as a homeland for the Muslims of India, why are we failing in our duty to protect those whose lives are endangered by religious persecution?" Dr. Ahmar writes.
Dr. Ahmar emphasizes the disparity between Pakistan's generosity towards millions of Afghan refugees and its reluctance to offer the same support to Indian Muslims. He points out that India, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, proactively welcomes persecuted religious minorities – particularly Hindus – from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
“While India is criticized globally for its treatment of Muslims, Pakistan seems to ignore the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the border,” states Dr. Ahmar.
Dr. Ahmar's call for action challenges the broader apathy within Pakistan and Bangladesh regarding the treatment of Indian Muslims. This indifference, he argues, stands in stark contrast to the core principles that led to the formation of Pakistan.
