The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the global community to protect the rights of minorities in the neighboring country
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. Photo: Archive
Pakistan on Monday condemned incidents of vandalism reported during Christmas in India and expressed concern over violence against Muslims, urging the international community to take note.
Responding to media questions, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the persecution of minorities in India remained a matter of deep concern for Pakistan.
He referred to recent incidents during the Christmas period in which religious symbols and decorations were vandalized. He also noted what he described as state-sponsored actions against Muslim communities.
According to official press statements issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson cited repeated cases of harassment, demolitions of Muslim homes and lynchings. He said these incidents had contributed to growing fear and alienation among Indian Muslims.
Andrabi also referenced the case of Muhammad Akhlaq and said the authorities’ handling of the incident had raised concerns about the liability of those involved.
“The persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern,” the statement said.
“Recent reprehensible incidents of vandalism during Christmas, as well as state-sponsored campaigns against Muslims, including the demolition of their homes and repeated lynchings, have deepened fear and alienation among Muslims,” he said.
“The list of such victims is unfortunately long,” the statement added.
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The spokesperson asked the international community to take note of these developments. He urged appropriate measures to safeguard the fundamental rights of vulnerable communities in India.
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over India’s treatment of minorities in multilateral forums. Islamabad maintains that discriminatory policies and communal violence undermine social cohesion and regional stability.
India has previously rejected such statements, calling them politically motivated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Pakistan would continue to highlight issues related to religious freedom and equal citizenship rights. He said this was particularly important when actions against minorities risk widening social divisions.
Pakistan maintains that protecting minority groups is a shared international responsibility. It has urged States and global human rights bodies to closely monitor developments affecting vulnerable communities in the region.
