- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said Indians “believe in Akhand Bharat” while claiming that the country’s Hindus would prefer to remain in Pakistan rather than move to India.
- Speaking at an Independence Day gathering on August 14, Zardari said Pakistanis and Indians hold different views, while asserting that Hindus in Pakistan are free to practise their religion.
- "The Indians believe in Akhand Bharat. But we are Muslims. They are not. But we are Muslims of the mindset that tolerates. We have a 4% Hindu population in Pakistan. They are as free as anywhere else. They would rather be with us than India," claims Pakistan President Zardari.
- Zardari praised Pakistan’s armed forces in his Independence Day message, claiming that under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership, the military had given a 'befitting answer to India' during last year’s conflict.
- Zardari’s remarks came while he was speaking about the cash-strapped country’s relations with India, its armed forces and the wider geopolitical situation in the region.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari asserted on August 14 that Hindus in Pakistan, who make up about 3-4% of the population, prefer to remain in the country rather than migrate to India. He emphasized that Pakistan's Hindu minority enjoys religious freedom, stating, "They are as free as anywhere else. They would rather be with us than India."1
Zardari's comments came during an Independence Day address, where he highlighted the contrasting perspectives of Pakistanis and Indians. He remarked, "The Indians believe in Akhand Bharat. But we are Muslims. They are not. But we are Muslims of the mindset that tolerates."3
He also praised the Pakistani military for its response to India, claiming they delivered a “befitting answer” during last year’s conflict under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir. Zardari's remarks reflect ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly regarding religious minorities.
Despite Zardari's assertions, reports indicate that religious minorities in Pakistan face significant challenges. According to Human Rights Watch, blasphemy laws and discriminatory legislation leave minorities vulnerable to persecution, with approximately 5,000 Hindus leaving Pakistan annually due to religious persecution, primarily from the Sindh province.
Zardari's statements highlight the complex dynamics of religious identity and national allegiance in a region marked by historical conflict and ongoing strife.
“Zardari's remarks came as Human Rights Watch's 2026 report documented that blasphemy laws and discriminatory legislation leave minorities vulnerable to arbitrary arrests and mob violence. The report also noted that approximately 5,000 Hindus leave Pakistan each year due to religious persecution, many heading to India.”
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