AMRITSAR: Despite living under constant fear of abductions, forced conversions, gang rapes and extortion, the Hindu women in Pakistans Sindh province on Wednesday jubilantly celebrated Karwa Chauth and wished an end to the era of atrocities faced by the community.They are also hoping for a better future if former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns to power.Despite 96 incidents of crime, involving abduction, forced conversions and marriages, and gang rapes of women and girls, reported against the Hindus living in Pakistans Sindh province last year, the community remains undeterred. "We are celebrating Karwa Chauth with the same religious fervour and enthusiasm as we celebrate other Hindu festivals," said Shiva Kachhi, chairperson and Founder of the Sindh-based Darewar Itehand , a minority rights organisation.This year, the number of crimes against the Hindu women and men has come down slightly, but we are fighting for equal rights for the Hindus and other religious minorities, he said."We are working to stop kidnapping of minor girls from the minority Hindu community in Sindh, forced marriages after conversion and for the rights of the minority community through a peaceful struggle. We are hoping that we will be considered as equal citizens of Pakistan and get legitimate rights," said Radhe Bheel, a Hindu woman from Sindh.She said their commitment to celebrate Karwa Chauth remained strong and married Hindu women were actively participating in shopping and religious gatherings with enthusiasm.In the Sindh province, the Hindu community is scattered across Umarkot, Tando Allahyar Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Sangar, and Tando Muhammad Khan districts, said Shiva.Last year there had been eight cases of abduction, forced conversion, and gang rape of Hindu boys too, he added.Stating that the Muslim population of Sindh lived peacefully with the Hindus, Shiva said only a few fanatic Muslims were against the Hindus and provoked others to act against the Hindu community.Speaking from a political perspective, he said the era under General Zia ul Haq was the golden period for the Hindu community and anticipated a return to those days if Nawaz Sharif regains power in Pakistan. Watch Karwa Chauth: Women in Indore celebrate with colourful rituals and fasts

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