Islamabad, Sep 22 (NationPress) The stark misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan highlights the nation's skewed priorities, particularly against Hindus and Sindhis, as reported on Monday. These communities are disproportionately affected, with blasphemy accusations—often fabricated stemming from personal vendettas—serving as instruments of terror aimed at non-Muslims.

A report published in the prominent Sri Lankan newspaper The Daily Mirror indicates a troubling escalation in such cases across Pakistan, with at least 475 incidents recorded in 2024 alone. This surge reflects the alarming ease with which the law is manipulated within the country.

“A single accusation of 'blasphemy' can incite violent mobs. Vigilantes have repeatedly lynched those accused, and entire minority communities have suffered attacks following such claims. Perpetrators of this violence are rarely held accountable, fostering an environment where atrocities are unchecked. Instead, the Pakistani state often caters to Islamist extremists: police frequently fail to protect those targeted and, at times, even participate in the chaos,” the report elaborated.

“Essentially, blasphemy laws act as a license to settle grievances against minorities. For Hindus in Pakistan, mere rumors or false claims can result in their homes being destroyed or loved ones killed, with scant hope for justice,” the report added.

The report also highlights that beyond blasphemy, Hindus in Pakistan face forced conversions and cultural erasure. In 2025, an alarming trend has emerged where Hindu girls and even minors are abducted and coerced into converting to Islam.

In a shocking incident, the report cites that in June, four Hindu youths, including three teenage girls, were abducted in Pakistan's Sindh province and forcibly converted.

The acceptance by a local court of the claim that the minors willingly changed their religion reflects the frightening normalization of such occurrences.

According to human rights organizations, the abduction and forced marriage of underage Hindu girls, especially in Sindh and Punjab, persist without intervention from Pakistani authorities.

“These heinous acts shatter families and instill fear in the community. Concurrently, the physical heritage of Hindus continues to deteriorate. Years of neglect and vandalism have left many Hindu temples in disrepair. A judicial inquiry revealed that out of 365 Hindu temples in Pakistan, only 13 receive government maintenance, while an astonishing 287 have been left to decay or illegal occupation. Extremists know they can desecrate or even demolish Hindu shrines without fear of consequence,” the report stressed.

Moreover, the report emphasized that the Sindhi people, a primarily Muslim ethnic group in southeastern Pakistan, face a “parallel nightmare of oppression.”

“Under the stringent oversight of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who has been Pakistan’s army chief since late 2022, these alarming trends have only intensified. Munir, an avowed Islamist, openly endorses an extreme ideology that vilifies Hindus and other non-Muslims. His leadership has coincided with a rise in hyper-nationalism and intolerance, further endangering minorities,” the report noted.