KARACHI: In an incident highlighting racism and discrimination, a Hindu reporter in Pakistan's state-run news agency was barred from sharing utensils with other Muslim staff when they came to know his religion.
Sahib Khan Oad, senior reporter with Associated Press of Pakistan, was appointed as a reporter in APP Islamabad, then transferred to Hyderabad, later Karachi, this year. Behavioural changes in his colleagues was noted after his younger son Raj Kumar visited his office and everyone found out he was in fact, a Hindu. "Actually my name contains the word 'Khan' so everyone in the office initially thought I was Muslim. The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations," Oad claimed.
Even with the commencement of Ramzan, he is not allowed to sit at the same dining table at the time of Iftar and senior colleagues have suggested he bring his own plates and glasses if he wants to eat in the office. "I have now bought a separate glass and plate for the office," he said. However, APP Karachi bureau chief Parvez Aslam denied the claims. "He was suffering from flu so we suggested he arrange a separate glass," he said. "You can come to my office and see how he eats Iftar with us."
APP managing director Masood Malik said they have started inquiry into the matter. Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research wrote a letter to federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid, against the discriminatory attitude. "We are really shocked to know that a bureau chief of a government news agency has pressurised a reporter to drink in a separate glass because he is Hindu," said Piler executive director Karmat Ali.
