A Hindu reporter in Pakistan’s state-run news agency was barred from sharing utensils with the Muslim staff and was asked to drink water from a separate glass, reported The Express Tribune on Tuesday.
Sahib Khan Oad, a senior reporter with Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), was allegedly subjected to the discriminatory attitude after his colleagues found out his religion.
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.Sahib Khan Oad to the The Express Tribune
Parvez Aslam, APP Karachi bureau chief denied the reports and said that the discrimination charges are a “total propaganda”. He further added that the reason why he was asked to arrange for a separate glass was because he was suffering from flu.
Meanwhile, APP managing director Masood Malik said that an inquiry has been ordered into the matter.
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, an organisation that works for labour rights, also jumped into the matter and has written a letter to federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid to address the issue.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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