Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address the UNGA later today. Ahead of his speech, the persecuted minorities in Pakistan have launched a massive and widespread protest across New York City.
As per reports, hundreds of taxis and trucks have appeared on the streets of the city displaying slogans and images of atrocities carried out by Pakistan on its own citizens. The campaign has been launched by an US-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi.
Greater Karachi banners in #NewYork After #Balochistan Genocide Banners in #US
We need Justice for #Karachi
Plight of Mohajirs and Atrocities being committed on us for the last many many years #UNGA2019 #UNGA pic.twitter.com/wxFKnG8IMD— IFENewsDesk? Free Press (@IFENewsDesk) September 27, 2019
Karachi’s former mayor Wasay Jalil has been quoted by ANI as saying, “Since Pakistan does not allow Mohajirs to hold even a peaceful protest against such injustices, we have no other option but to approach the United Nations and other international bodies to seek their intervention. It is our moral, human, and democratic right.”
Jalil had added, “Atrocities are being committed against Mohajirs, it has been going on for decades, we have lost more than 25,000 lives and there have been thousands of forced disappearances. We want to apprise the world of our situation caused by Pakistan.”
Mohajirs are the Muslim immigrants belonging to multiple ethnic groups who had migrated to Pakistan from various parts of India during the partition.
Nadeem Nusrat Khan, the chairman of Voice of Karachi group, stated to ANI, “It is ironic on part of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan to peddle a false narrative on Kashmir issue at the UN in New York when the country’s own minorities are facing the worst human rights situation.
Khan added further, “It is really shameful that Pakistan says India is against Muslims. Pakistan has literally curbed and created a hell for the religious minorities. We want Pakistan to treat all its ethnic and religious minorities with the dignity that they deserve. I think it would be better for the Pakistan Prime Minister to fix his own home first before talking about other issues.”
The protest taxis and trucks are displaying images of the atrocities and infographics about the plight of minorities in Pakistan. Some of the slogans read, “Pakistan: A country in denial of UN charter on Human rights” and “Mohajirs demand the UN intervention in Pakistan.”
There are also posters and digital billboards highlighting the Pakistani atrocities at Balochistan, demanding freedom for the region that was illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1948.
