In a disturbing escalation of violence, a Hindu businessman’s son, Rajkumar, was abducted in broad daylight from his factory in Deramore, Kashmore, Sindh, by Islamists armed robbers demanding a ransom. This latest abduction, which took place in full view of the public, highlights the ongoing crisis faced by Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, where such incidents have become all too common.
The abduction follows a similar case in March, when another Hindu businessman from Kashmore exposed an abduction plot orchestrated by local dacoits — notorious criminals operating with impunity in the region. These dacoits, who have targeted the Hindu and Christian communities for years, demand exorbitant ransoms, often amounting to millions, from families already living under the weight of poverty and fear.
What is even more troubling is the open connection between the criminal gangs and the political establishment in Sindh. The dacoits frequently operate under the protection and influence of feudal lords, local politicians, and other powerful figures, making it nearly impossible for victims to seek justice. In many cases, the local authorities — including the military — have failed to take meaningful action, allowing the crimes to persist and leaving the minority communities abandoned.
These abductions and the subsequent ransom demands have become a plague for Hindus, Christians, and other vulnerable groups in Pakistan. The lack of accountability and the apparent complicity of the Pak Army and the Punjabi political elite in allowing such violence against minorities to go unchecked underscores the systemic abuse and oppression faced by these communities. The feudal and political nexus that protects these dacoits further highlights the chaotic environment the minorities live in which is deeply rooted issues of religious intolerance, abductions, and exploitation.