NAROWAL: In the upcoming general election of 2024, Hindu elders have announced their support for PML-N candidates across Punjab, while the educated youth tends to lean towards the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Sawan Chand Arya, president of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee Pakistan, told Dawn that more than 700,000 Hindus reside in Punjab, and the rationale behind supporting the PML-N is the party’s track record of delivering pro-minority measures during its previous terms.

He said although various political parties have made promises to grant rights to minorities in the past, they often fell short in practice.

Arya said the educated youth within the Hindu community was showing support for the PTI.

Ratan Lal Arya, former district council member and general secretary of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee Pakistan, stated that the Hindu community accounts for 170,000 registered voters across Punjab.

He expressed concern that, considering the number of Hindu voters, only eight minority seats have been allocated in the provincial assembly, and there is not a single female Hindu seat in the Punjab Assembly.

Surendra Kumar said that 10,000 Hindu voters in the Sialkot district will cast their votes for PML-N candidates in the upcoming general election.

He said that the Hindu community in Sialkot has organized a public gathering in a private marriage hall.

Pandit Rai Ban, a resident of the Sialkot district, spoke of the importance of electing representatives of minorities through vote slips rather than selection.

This is what is happening now. He criticised capitalist Hindus who reach the provincial and national assemblies, claiming that selected members often do not raise their voices on issues faced by the Hindu community in the assemblies.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024