Foreign Office urges global community to protect minority rights in the neighbouring country
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: File
Pakistan on Monday condemned incidents of vandalism reported during Christmas in India and voiced concern over violence against Muslims, urging the international community to take note.
Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the persecution of minorities in India remained a matter of deep concern for Pakistan.
He referred to recent incidents reported during the Christmas period in which religious symbols and decorations were vandalised. He also pointed to what he described as state-sponsored actions against Muslim communities.
According to official press remarks 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, saying the handling of the incident by authorities had raised concerns about accountability for those involved.
“The persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern,” the statement said.
“Recent condemnable incidents of vandalism during Christmas, as well as state-sponsored campaigns targeting Muslims, including the demolition of their homes and repeated lynchings, have deepened fear and alienation among Muslims,” it said.
“The list of such victims is sadly long,” the statement added.
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The spokesperson called on 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 about the treatment of minorities in India at multilateral forums. Islamabad argues that discriminatory policies and communal violence undermine social cohesion and regional stability.
India has previously rejected such statements, calling them politically motivated.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would continue to highlight issues related to religious freedom and equal citizenship rights. It said this was particularly important where actions against minorities risk widening social divides.
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.
