Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Shia community as ‘cynical, diversionary’

Pakistan on Saturday strongly rejected remarks made by Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding its Shia community, terming them “cynical and diversionary.”

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said India’s statement was “an exercise in deflection masquerading as concern.”

He added that New Delhi’s comments could not obscure its own record of what he described as the “steady normalisation of discrimination and violence” against minorities, including Muslims, Christians and other marginalised groups.

The spokesperson highlighted incidents of mob violence in India, stating that such acts reflected a “climate of unchecked brutality.”

He said that more than 55 Muslims were reportedly lynched in 2025, while over 19 had been killed in similar incidents since January 2026.

He further alleged that extremist groups had targeted places of worship, including mosques, and that perpetrators often acted with impunity.

Pakistan urged India to address these concerns within its own borders and to ensure the protection of minority communities in line with its constitutional and international obligations. It also called on New Delhi to refrain from making “unfounded and politically motivated statements” about other countries.