Sikh leader from Imran Khan’s political party moves to Ludhiana, seeks asylum in India

In what is seen as a major indicator of the state of affairs in Pakistan vis-a-vis religious minorities, a member of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party Baldev Kumar is reportedly seeking asylum in India.

“….Even Muslims are not safe. Prime Minister Imran Khan has now power. Whatever power is there is with Pakistan army. Minorities are in great risk there,” said Mr Kumar at Khanna in Ludhiana district of Punjab. It has been reported that Pakistan Tehreik-i-Insaaf leader Baldev Kumar, an ex legislator in Swat region, arrived at Ludhiana with a Sikh Jatha (socio-religious group) and stayed back. His wife is from Ludhiana district in India only. Sources said his wife Bhawana Sethi and two young children have already shifted to India and are staying in Punjab since March this year.

“I am requesting Indian government to give asylum…,” he told reporters at Khanna on Tuesday and maintained that he could even submit a list of those Sikhs in Pakistan who are ‘not safe’ and are keen to seek asylum in India. “We are living in Pakistan with lot of difficulties,” he remarked. (UNI)