Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has alleged that he faced severe discrimination in Pakistan, which ultimately destroyed his career. Speaking at a Congressional Briefing on the ‘Plight of Minorities in Pakistan’ in Washington, Kaneria, a Hindu, claimed he was denied equal respect and opportunities in his home country.
Kaneria, who played 61 Tests for Pakistan and is only the second Hindu to represent the national team, stated, “I faced discrimination in Pakistan, and my career was destroyed. I did not get equal values or respect.” He emphasized the need to raise awareness about the suffering of minorities in Pakistan and urged the US to take action against these injustices.
Indian-American US Congressman Shri Thanedar also attended the event, condemning human rights violations against Hindu minorities in Pakistan. He called for economic sanctions against Pakistan until the atrocities stop. Thanedar highlighted issues such as forced conversions of Hindu girls and kidnappings, urging the US State Department to take swift action.
Other attendees, including Zeba Mohammed Arif and former journalist Asra Nomani, echoed these concerns. Nomani recounted the tragic murder of her colleague Daniel Pearl in 2002, emphasizing the lack of rights and freedoms for minorities in Pakistan.
The event aimed to shed light on the systemic discrimination faced by minorities in Pakistan and push for international intervention to address these human rights violations. Kaneria’s testimony underscores the challenges faced by non-Muslims in Pakistan, particularly in sports and other public spheres.
