Hindu minister attacked in Sindh province of Pakistan, govt reacts

A Hindu state minister in Sindh province of Pakistan has been attacked by protestors who took out a rally against a plan for new canals.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Kheal Das Kohistani, the minister of state for religious affairs, was driving through Thatta district on Saturday when his motorcade was pelted with tomatoes and potatoes by protesters who chanted slogans against the federal government.

Officials said Kohistani was unharmed in the attack.

According to reports by Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Kohistani and assured him of a thorough investigation into the incident.

“The attack on public representatives is unacceptable. Those involved in the incident would be given exemplary punishment,” the prime minister said.

Minister for Information Atta Tarar has sought details of the incident from Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, and a report from the federal interior secretary.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also condemned the act in strong terms, asserting that no one had the right to take the law into their own hands.

He directed the Deputy Inspector General of police, Hyderabad region, to immediately arrest those involved in the attack and submit a report.

According to the National Assembly website, Kohistani hails from the Jamshoro district of Sindh. He was first elected as a member of the parliament in 2018 from the PML-N. After serving for a full five-year term, he was reelected in 2024 and got the nod for elevation to become Minister of State.