Akalis seek Centre's intervention on Sikhs in Pak

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday urged Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to seek a categorical assurance from Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan that assets and lives of minorities would be protected.

It demanded that all those responsible for the hate attack on Sikhs as well as stoning of Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib would be arrested and awarded exemplary punishment.

SAD President Sukhbir Badal led the delegation, which called on the External Affairs Minister, and included senior party leaders and heads of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee and Patna Sahib Committee.

Sukhbir also urged Jaishankar to raise the issue of atrocities being committed by Pakistan against minorities in the United Nations.

He said from a total of 40,000 in the 2002 census the Sikh population in Pakistan had come down to around 5,000. "This itself is proof of forced conversions," he added.

Urging for urgent intervention on this issue at the highest level, he said, "if anybody can attack and stone Gurdwara Janam Asthan then no minority is safe in Pakistan."

The SAD delegation also pointed out that the Pakistan government should be asked to take prompt and exemplary action in case any minority community is targeted in any manner.IANS