New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 11
Taking serious note of reports of a “sense of insecurity” among Hindus in Sindh, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has set up a three-member committee of parliamentarians to visit different parts of the province to reassure the minority community about their security.

The President constituted a three-member committee of parliamentarians to visit different parts of Sindh to express solidarity with Hindus on behalf of himself and the government and to reassure them about their security and well-being, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

The committee comprises Hari Ram, Lal Chand and federal minister Moula Bakhsh Chandio. The President has also asked the authorities in Sindh to assess the situation and to submit a report to him. Zardari acted a day after nearly 250 Pakistani Hindu pilgrims arrived in India amid reports of mass migration of the minority community from Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

To allay fears, top Pakistani leaders today sought to reach out to the minorities in the country, declaring Islamabad’s commitment to ensure equal rights for them as enshrined in the Constitution.

In a message on the occasion of the ‘Minorities Day’ being observed today in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari said recognition and respect for the rights of minorities were part of his Pakistan People’s Party manifesto.

He said the ‘Minorities Day’ was an opportunity that reminded every Pakistani to reaffirm his/her solidarity and to work hard for the betterment of humanity and for a prosperous Pakistan.

PM Raja Pervez Ashraf said the Pakistan Government stood committed to the preservation of rights of minorities and has taken a number of concrete steps for their welfare.

Hindus in Pakistan have complained that they were being targeted because of their religion. Their shops are being looted and houses raided. Another distrubing fact that has come to light is that Hindu women were being forced to convert to Islam. Due to their persecution, many Hindus from Pakistan indicated on their arrival in India yesterday that they would not go back.