Hindu Minister In Pakistan Attacked With Tomatoes And Potatoes, PM Sharif Pledges 'Exemplary Punishment' For Culprits

A Hindu minister serving in Pakistan’s Sindh province was targeted by demonstrators protesting a proposed canal project. State Minister for Religious Affairs and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Kheal Das Kohistani came under attack on Saturday while passing through Thatta district.

Protesters, reportedly angry over plans for new canals, hurled tomatoes and potatoes at his motorcade while shouting slogans against the federal administration. Kohistani remained unharmed, officials confirmed as per The Indian Express.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to Kohistani via phone and pledged a thorough probe. “The attack on the public representatives is unacceptable. The persons involved in the incident would be given exemplary punishment,” Sharif was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah condemned the assault, stating in a press release that no individual had the right to take the law into their own hands. He further instructed the Hyderabad region’s Deputy Inspector General to apprehend those responsible and file a report on the matter.

According to Kohistani’s official profile on the National Assembly website, he is originally from Sindh’s Jamshoro district. He was first elected to Parliament in 2018 and re-elected in 2024, after which he was appointed as Minister of State.