Is Visiting Pakistan A Safe Destination For Hindus?

Pakistan is a safe country to travel to, with low violent crime rates and no TTP attacks. However, there are areas with increased risk, such as Balochistan province and Khyber, where forced conversions of Hindu girls and women to Islam occur. Travel in Pakistan is strongly affected by terrorism, and permits must be applied at least 10-15 days in advance.

An international delegation of 200 Hindu pilgrims will depart on a four-day religious tour to a recently restored century-old shrine in Islamabad. News reports suggest that many Muslims are contemplating taking up “non-Muslim” names and attire to avoid being lynched by gau rakshaks, the Hindu equivalent of blasphemy vigilantes. A century-old sacred Hindu shrine in Pakistan was destroyed by a Muslim mob in December, marking the second ransacking and desecration of the holy site.

In general, Pakistan is as safe as any other country in the region, but security concerns exist in some areas. Karachi to Sukkur (all cities of Sindh province) is safe to travel, as there are many native Hindus who remain there. However, there have been numerous cases of violence and discrimination against Hindus and other minorities.

In conclusion, Pakistan is safe to travel to, with lawfulness being far superior to the past decade. While there are issues with transportation, violent crime rates, and terrorism, the country’s authorities must protect the right to freedom of religion and belief for its beleaguered Hindu community.

Who is the richest Hindu in Pakistan?

Pakistan is currently facing a significant financial crisis, with a growing shortage of essential food items like flour, rice, and eggs. Despite the global stigma surrounding Hindus, some Hindus have managed to become the wealthiest people in the country. Deepak Perwani, a multi-millionaire and renowned fashion designer and actor, is a prominent figure in the Hindu Sindhi community of Pakistan. Born in 1973 in Mirpur Khas, he has won numerous awards in the Pakistani fashion industry and has an annual net worth of around Rs 71 crore.

Perwani has also acted in popular Pakistani TV serials like Mere Paas Paas and Kadoorat, and has appeared in the romantic comedy Punjab Nahi Jaungi. Naveen Perwani, a Pakistani snooker player, represented Pakistan at the Asian Games in 2006.

Can a normal Indian visit Pakistan?

Indian passport holders can apply for business and tourist visas to visit Pakistan using the Pakistan Online Visa System. Tourist visas are not issued to every Indian national by the Pakistan embassy but are granted to relatives, friends, or for other legal reasons. There are two main types of Pakistan visas: a tourist visa for Indian passport holders with family members living in Pakistan, valid for 30 days, and issued by the Pakistan embassy or consulate. The processing fee is Rs. 1, 599.

Is it safe for an Indian to travel to Pakistan?

Pakistan faces a high threat of attack, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces, which are frequent targets for terrorist attacks. To combat this, increased security measures have been implemented, including increased security force presence and additional checkpoints. Terrorists may also target foreign-frequented areas, transport infrastructure, and places of worship. Some public events have been banned. Australian officials in Islamabad are advised to maintain vigilance, review personal security plans, and monitor media for updates.

Previous attacks have involved grenades, firearms, and bombing, including suicide bombs. Security officials may cut mobile phone services when the threat of an attack is imminent or directly after an incident.

Is Hindu spoken in Pakistan?

Hindi is a language spoken by some Pakistani Hindus and the small Indian community in Pakistan. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad operates a Hindi school for expatriate children. Signboards at the Wagah border crossing in Lahore feature Hindi markings alongside Urdu/Shahmukhi and English to facilitate Indian travelers. The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation operates a Hindi radio service.

Is Lahore safe for Indians?

Pakistan’s major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar, are safe to visit, but precautions should be taken, especially in Karachi where snatching of phones and bags still occurs. Peshawar, near Afghanistan’s border, is known for its terroristic Wild West reputation, with open-market sales of guns and hashish, and apprehension among foreign tourists. However, it is now safe to visit, as the City of Flowers is working to rebuild and attract tourists after recent violence. The city is home to beautiful buildings, such as the Sethi Haveli and Mahabat Khan mosque, and is known for its hospitable people, making it a highly recommended destination.

Is Pakistan Hindu friendly?

Religious discrimination in Pakistan is a significant issue affecting the human rights situation in the country. Minorities such as Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shias, and Ahmadis face discrimination and violence, with some Christian churches and worshippers being attacked. Khawaja Nazimuddin, the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan, disagrees with the idea that religion is a private affair and that every citizen has identical rights in an Islamic state.

One significant issue faced by minority communities is the abuse of the blasphemy law, where people belonging to minority religions are falsely accused of using derogatory remarks against the Islamic prophet Muhammad, leading to fines, lengthy prison sentences, and sometimes the death penalty. Victims are often presumed guilty without any substantive evidence due to the bias against minorities.

In 2011, religious intolerance reached its peak, with hundreds of minorities, women, journalists, and liberals being killed by Islamist fundamentalist extremists. The government has remained mostly silent, only making statements condemning the violence but taking no concrete action against them.

Is it safe to travel to Pakistan as a tourist?

Pakistan is urging caution due to the presence of a number of unpredictable security threats, including terrorism, civil unrest, sectarian violence, and kidnapping. The regional advisory recommends against travel to Wagah, the Grand Trunk Road, Khunjerab Pass, and the Karakorum Highway, as well as to avoid these areas.

Can a Hindu stay in Pakistan?

Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens and prohibits discrimination based on caste, creed, or religion. However, Islam remains the state religion, often giving Muslims more privileges than Hindus or other religious minorities. There have been numerous instances of violence and discrimination against Hindus, along with other minorities, due to strict blasphemy laws.

The Shri Hinglaj Mata temple in Balochistan is a significant place of worship for Hindus, and the annual Hinglaj Yatra is the largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan. Pakistan was the center of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The Pashupati image of Mohenjo-daro evolved to be worshipped as Shiva and the Mother Goddess as Shakti. Early influences from the Indus Valley Civilization, such as the Swastika symbol and Yogic postures, may have shaped Hinduism. The religious beliefs and folklore of the Indus Valley people have become a significant part of the Hindu faith.

Are there Hindus in Lahore?

Prior to India’s partition in 1947, Lahore district had a Hindu and Sikh population of a third. The Hindu and Sikh population migrated to East Punjab and Delhi, leaving Lahore without its entire Hindu and Sikh population. Muslim refugees from India replaced them, and locals and Muslim refugees competed for ownership of abandoned Hindu and Sikh property. Tehsil religious breakdown figures for Christianity only include local Christians labeled as “Indian Christians” on the census. Lahore was once named Lavapura, after Lava, son of Lord Rama, a Hindu God from Ramayana. A vacant temple dedicated to Lava is located inside the Lahore Fort.

Is Pakistan or India safer?

Pakistan ranks 48th in the Gallup Law and Order Index for 2021, with a score of 82, ahead of India. India ranked 60th out of 121 countries, scoring 80 on the index, which indicates a higher sense of security. Singapore ranked the highest with a score of 96, while Afghanistan was at the bottom with 51. Other countries in the top five include Tajikistan, Norway, Switzerland, and Indonesia, while Venezuela, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Gabon are among the bottom five.

Are Hindus allowed to visit Pakistan?

The Pakistan High Commission has issued 104 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to facilitate their visit to Shadani Darbar in Sindh. This follows a bilateral protocol where Indian and Pakistani pilgrims visit Pakistan annually. The Indian pilgrims will participate in the 315th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh, from December 12-23. Pakistan’s Charged” Affairs Aizaz Khan congratulated the pilgrims and wished them a safe journey.