Another Sikh leader forced to flee Pakistan after threats

Another Sikh leader forced to flee Pakistan after threats

ISLAMABAD: The Sikh leader who deactivated his Twitter account and moved to Lahore from Peshawar after he was assaulted by “unidentified” armed men a few weeks ago, has fled Pakistan, fearing threats to his life.

Sources in Islamabad said that Radesh Singh Tony, a minority rights activist and Sikh leader along with his family from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa left Pakistan due to threats and is likely to take asylum in India.

Tony has been a target of Islamist extremists and has received threats several times. He has also been critical of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and complaining about the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan. Sikh community, a minuscule minority in Pakistan, has been, facing severe insecurity since the recent attack on their holy shrine at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. One Sikh youth was also killed by unidentified men following the attack.

Radesh Singh Tony was the only minority politician from Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to have contested last year’s election as an independent candidate. He had earlier contested local government elections for a minority general councilor seat and was elected with a majority. He resigned from his seat to contest the last general election for an assembly seat. However, he lost the election. (IANS)

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