16th Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues Item 2: Socio-Economic Empowerment World Sindhi Congress By Rubina Greenwood Dear Mr. Chairperson, I urgently draw your attention to the dire situation in Pakistan's Sindh province, requiring immediate international intervention. Pakistan is comprised of four sub-state nations, each joined as equal and autonomous provinces. However, the Punjabi Nation, with its numerical, political, and military majority, has instituted hegemonic policies against the minority Sindh Nation. The plight of the minority, especially Sindhi Hindu girls, is critical, with their safety severely compromised in a state of apparent indifference. Additionally, the practice of enforced disappearances continues, with Sindhi political activists facing threats and illegal detentions by state agencies. This violation of human rights contradicts the democratic principles vital for a just and inclusive society. Last year, Sindh suffered devastating rain floods, displacing millions. The misappropriation of funds earmarked for relief has worsened the suffering of those already devastated by this natural disaster. The encroachment by Bahria Town Karachi on local lands, including the ancient Khirthar Mountain, a National Park since 1974 and an UN-listed site since 1975, is alarming. Under the pretext of progress, this development poses significant environmental threats and erodes Sindh's cultural and historical heritage. The federal government's Special Investment Facilitation Council's push to acquire Sindh's land, including coastal areas, blatantly disregards local rights and welfare. Moreover, Pakistan's demographic engineering aims to diminish the Indigenous Sindhi majority in their homeland. Given these troubling developments, we urgently call on the United Nations to protect Sindh's people's rights, ensure justice, and prioritize sustainable, equitable development over harmful activities. Thank you.