Pakistan has trashed Indian foreign minister's remarks regarding minority issues in the country with Foreign Office spokesperson saying on Saturday that in Pakistan state institutions actively worked to safeguard minorities as a matter of policy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
In stark contrast, incidents targeting minorities in India frequently occurred with the tacit approval or even complicity of elements within the ruling dispensation.
Responding to media queries concerning the remarks made by the Indian External Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha and the related discussion on the situation of minorities in Pakistan, the spokesperson, in a statement issued in Islamabad, said, “India is in no position to champion minority rights, as it remains a serial violator of those very rights.”
The systematic promotion of hatred, discrimination, and violence against minorities in India was well documented.
“From the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to the bulldozing of homes, from the 2002 Gujarat massacre to the 2020 Delhi pogrom, from the demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992 to the consecration of a temple on its ruins in 2024, from cow vigilantism and mob lynchings to attacks on mosques and shrines, India’s record is marred by egregious and systemic violations of minority rights, particularly those of Muslims,” the spokesperson further added.
Rather than feigning concern for minorities elsewhere, the spokesperson said the Indian government would do well to address its own failures.
“It must take concrete steps to ensure the safety, protection, and well-being of minorities including Muslims and safeguard their places of worship, cultural heritage, and fundamental rights,” it was stressed.
Kaman Aman Setu bridge, connecting AJK to IOK, opened after six years
After six years, Kaman Aman Setu, the bridge, connecting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK) was opened temporarily on Friday to return the bodies of a boy and a girl, which had been found in a river in the AJK, to the Indian authorities, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
People on both sides of the divide have praised the step taken by Pakistan and have termed it a ray of hope.
For the first time, the bridge was opened in 2005 so that families from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) could cross into each other territories and meet each other.
In 2008, the bridge was used for trade between India and Pakistan.
However, the BJP government closed it completely in the wake of Pulwama attack in 2019.
The BJP government alleged that the route was used to smuggle weapons, drugs and fake currency into India.
Reporters: Anwer Abbas and Ahmad Mansoor