A delegation of the World Sindhi Congress, led by Dr. Haleem Bhatti, Secretary General, met with Amnesty International officials in London on July 29, 1998.

The WSC General Secretary introduced the Amnesty International officials to Comrade Sobho Gianchandani, and Comrade Amar Lal. It was the first time that Comrade Sobho Gianchandani has been given the permission to travel abroad since the creation of the Pakistani state, 50 years ago. Comrade Sobho is known within and outside Sindh as a freedom fighter, labor activist, human rights advocate writer and social reformist. Comrade Amarlal is a human rights activist and had been declared a 'prisoner of conscience' by Amnesty International during his imprisonment by Pakistani Authorities in eighties, when he was involved in various campaigns for restoration of democracy and advocacy of equal rights for Sindhis in Pakistan.

The delegation discussed the current situation in Sindh with Amnesty International officials. In particular, they briefed Amnesty International about the following issues related to Sindhis and Sindh:

• Discrimination of religious minorities, with specific reference to Sindhi Hindus in Pakistan.
• Construction of the Kalabagh Dam despite the rejection by three provinces.
• Manipulation of census figures to show a Punjab majority.
• Murder of Qayyum Mangi, Vice Chairperson of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, by state sponsored terrorists. --The Amnesty International officials promised to raise this issue with the Government of Pakistan.
• Discrimination in job opportunities for Sindhis in Pakistan.
• Lack of Sindhi Judges in Pakistan following the forced resignation of Justice Sajjad Ali Shah from the office of Chief Supreme Court of Justice.
• Use of bondage labor by feudal landlords in some areas of Sindh.
• Lack of infrastructure development programs in Sindh.

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