SECURITY RIGHTS

Throughout the history of Pakistan, the State has repeatedly violated and failed to protect the security rights of its citizens. Sectarian violence continues to spiral. Human rights groups note with growing concern that Ahmedis, Christians, Hindus and other officially designated "Minorities", including economically disadvantaged groups, are deprived of their participation rights, harassed, reviled and actively persecuted by the government, private interests and religious fanatics.

Special attention is given to an examination of the political and ethnic dynamics which gradually led to a state of virtual civil war in Sindh during the past decade. An analysis of the State response to this state of affairs reveals that successive governments have exploited the situation for their own agendas and/or responded to anarchy in kind, employing excessive force, violence and illegal methods to such an extent that many members of the public have come to view terrorism as a response to State brutality.