No one takes Imran Khan seriously in Pakistan: Muktar Abas Naqvi

New Delhi, Sept 13: Union Minority Welfare Minister Muktar Abbas Naqvi said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has become a laughing stock in his own country as nobody takes him seriously. He is not just isolated but is also exposed globally, Naqvi said in an interview to leading English daily recently.

He alleged that instead of concentrating on solving the problems confronting Pakistan, Imran Khan is busy marketing the Kashmir issue globally. IN doing so, he is losing the sympathy of the world nations besides harming the interests of his own people, Naqvi said.

Pooh-poohing Imran's claim on human rights violation of Kashmiri people, Naqvi said that the fact of the matter was Pakistan is 'Jahannum' (Hell) for the minorities while India is 'Jannat' (Heaven) for them. The minorities in Pakistan - Hindus, Sikhs and Christians - have no social, economic, educational or constitutional rights. IN 1947, when India was partitioned Pakistan had 22% minority population which is now reduced to just 2% as a result of consistent persecution and forced religious conversions. In India the minorities are safe and secure and enjoy equal or even more rights, the minister said.

Naqvi also said that giving communal colour or deriving political mileage out of the incidents like mob lynching was wrong. These are crimes and should be dealt accordingly. Law and order is the state subject and it is the responsibility of the concerned state government to take steps to prevent such incidents.

The Narendra Modi government is implementing the agenda of development for the minorities without discrimination and appeasement. There is no single incident of discrimination during the Modi government’s tenure. 3.15 crore minority students are given scholarships and over 8 lakh jobs were provided through the ministry's schemes such as 'Hunar Haat' and 'Seekho aur Kamao' during the past five years. In 100 days, the government has set up 100 common service centers in areas that have been so far neglected. Wakf Board properties have been digitized and now efforts are on for 100% geotagging. Madarsas are being taught mainstream subjects to make them pivots of reforms, the minister added.