Milpitas(California) North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal has strongly condemned the recent armed robbery targeting Sikh shopkeeper Pahlaj Singh in Dera Allah Yar, Jaffarabad, Balochistan, stating that the incident is yet another reminder of the growing fear and insecurity faced by the Sikh community in Pakistan.
Chahal said that while the arrest of four suspects by the Jaffarabad Police is a welcome development, the larger issue remains the deteriorating sense of safety among Pakistan’s religious minorities. He noted that attacks, robberies, intimidation, and targeted incidents involving members of the Sikh community continue to emerge from different parts of the country, creating an atmosphere of constant fear and uncertainty.
“The Sikh community in Pakistan is living under fear and insecurity. Almost every day, reports surface of attacks, robberies, harassment, or violence against Sikh community members in one part of the country or another. While we appreciate the efforts of law enforcement in arresting the suspects in this particular case, preventing such attacks must be the government’s highest priority,” Chahal said.
The NAPA Executive Director urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the federal and provincial governments to take immediate and strict measures to ensure the safety and security of all religious minorities, including Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and others. He emphasized that minorities should be able to live, work, and practice their faith without fear of becoming victims of crime or targeted violence.
Chahal further called for enhanced security around minority-owned businesses, places of worship, and residential areas, along with prompt investigations and speedy prosecution of those responsible for crimes against minority communities. He stressed that isolated arrests alone are not enough unless they are accompanied by long-term policies that guarantee equal protection under the law.
“NAPA stands in solidarity with Pahlaj Singh and the entire Sikh community in Pakistan. We sincerely hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that the Government of Pakistan takes concrete and sustained steps to restore confidence among its minority citizens. The protection of minorities is not only a constitutional obligation but also a fundamental measure of a nation’s commitment to human rights and religious freedom,” Chahal concluded.