KARACHI: PTI Sindh President Dr Arif Alvi, with Firdous Naqvi and Khawand Baksh Jahejo expressed his serious concern on the stereotyping and racial profiling of Pashtun Pakistanis throughout out the country, especially in Karachi.
During the last few days, numerous incidents have surfaced in which Pashtuns have been arrested and held until bribes were exchanged at the police station.
“Racial profiling is being condemned throughout the world as people are targeted because of their religion, looks or ethnic origins. Pakistan has gone through many ethnic tensions where such damaging attitudes when practiced officially have led to dismemberment of the country in 1971. Sindh has also suffered when law enforcement agencies rather than catching the culprits have resorted to harassment of innocent Sindhi or Urdu speakers,” he said
Once such issues are ignited the deprived classes focus on racial and ethnic origins for their deprivation rather than the real issue of corruption and exploitation. It in the history of Pakistan it has unleashed severe armed conflict that has simmered for decades. This dangerous trend must therefore be safe guarded against.
While understanding the security concerns of the citizens of Pakistan, PTI condemns the stereotyping of Pakistanis in the garb of enhanced security measures. Millions of ID cards have been issued to Afghanis and now the genuine Pakistani Pashtun population outside of KP is being harassed on renewal of their ID cards also. This is a serious problem in Karachi and the issue is resolved on payment of bribe.
Dr Alvi demanded that immediate measures must be taken to put a stop to this, otherwise it will be very difficult to repair this if left unfettered. People want visible efforts by this government to undo the measures that have encouraged racial profiling.
DrArifAlvi also condemned the police action against PTI Hyderabad President Khawand Bux Jahejo of region. PPP is on a mission to coerce, bribe, pressurise and terrorise all opposition groups to succumb to their wicked plan. Those, who refuse to bow down are suffering from administrative police action. PTI condemns the Sindh Police and the PPP government on this issue and urges immediate withdrawal of cases.
