Hindu minister ‘attacked’ during Pak canal protests

A Pakistani Hindu Minister of State was attacked in Sindh by protestors opposing the federal government’s controversial irrigation canal projects on the pretext that it would reduce the downward flow of rivers that are key for irrigation in the southern province.

Kheal Das Kohistani, state minister for religious affairs in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government, was driving through the Thatta district of the province on Saturday when his motorcade was pelted with tomatoes and potatoes. Officials said that Kohistani remained unharmed in the attack.

Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the attack on Kohistani and assured him of a thorough investigation into the incident.

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

Kohistani is a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the protesters also chanted slogans against the party’s federal government.