The Foreign Office of Pakistan on Saturday strongly rejected comments made by Ministry of External Affairs India regarding Pakistan’s Shia community, terming them “cynical and diversionary” and an attempt at deflection disguised as concern.
Alleged Disinformation Campaign Targets Pakistan’s Regional Peace Efforts
The response came after statements attributed to Syed Asim Munir were referenced by Indian officials. Earlier this month, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces held a meeting with Shia clerics in Rawalpindi. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations, discussions focused on national security and the role of religious scholars in promoting social harmony.
The ISPR statement noted that Syed Asim Munir stressed the importance of not exploiting religious sentiments to incite violence within the country.
Reacting to the development, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s external affairs ministry, alleged that the remarks reflected what he described as “systemic victimisation of minorities” in Pakistan.
In response, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed India’s claims, stating that such comments could not obscure India’s own record regarding minority rights. He pointed to what he described as a pattern of discrimination and violence against Muslims, Christians, and other marginalized communities in India, including restrictions on religious practices, mob vigilantism, and attacks on homes and livelihoods.
The spokesperson further alleged that incidents of mob violence against Muslims have increased, describing them as deeply concerning and indicative of a broader climate of intolerance.
He also claimed that extremist groups have targeted religious sites and that perpetrators often act with impunity. Pakistan urged India to address these issues domestically, ensure the protection of minority communities in line with constitutional and international obligations, and refrain from making what it termed “unfounded and politically motivated statements.”
