Renowned singer Rahila Seemab has revealed the painful journey that forced her to flee Pakistan and seek refuge in the United States. Facing life-threatening attacks and relentless persecution, she had no choice but to leave her homeland.
Rahila’s troubles began when she pursued a career in music, defying the conservative values of her family. “I was constantly criticized, called disgraceful names, and warned of severe consequences,” she said. Relatives monitored her every move, making her life unbearable. The opposition escalated beyond verbal abuse when she survived multiple assassination attempts.
Surviving Deadly Attacks
The first attack occurred outside her home. “I was lucky to survive,” she recalled. But the violence didn’t stop there. One night, as she returned from a private gathering, gunmen opened fire on her car. “They wanted to kill me,” she said. Even after these incidents, the threats intensified.
The danger extended to her children. “I was told that if I didn’t quit music, my children would be abducted,” she revealed, her voice filled with anguish. “As a mother, how could I put their lives at risk?”
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Religious Persecution Increased the Hostility
Rahila faced not just professional backlash but also religious persecution. She grew close to the Shia school of thought through her music teacher and began attending religious gatherings at Imam Bargahs. This further enraged her dogmatic Sunni Tehreek-affiliated relatives. Their hostility increased when they saw her shifting beliefs. “They resented me even more for my religious choices,” she explained. “I wasn’t just targeted for singing—I was persecuted for my faith.”
Forced to Leave Her Homeland
With threats escalating and no protection from authorities, Rahila had to make a heartbreaking decision. “I loved my country, but I was denied the right to live there,” she said. “All I ever did was follow my passion for music, yet in the face of extremism, that passion became a crime.”
Fleeing to the United States was not easy, but it was the only way to ensure her and her children’s safety. She has now called upon law enforcement agencies, the Chief Minister, the Interior Minister, and the Inspector General of Sindh Police to take strict action against those who tried to silence her through violence.
Her voice, once celebrated in Pakistan, now speaks from exile, carrying the weight of persecution, resilience, and survival.
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