Pakistan shows concern on rising Islamophobic incidents in India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has shown concerns over Islamophobic incidents in India post-Pahalgham, citing this as “state-sponsored targeting”.

The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Shafqat Ali Khan, said in a statement that “Pakistan is deeply concerned about the growing Islamophobia in India, where Muslims are being systematically targeted through hate speech and social exclusion.”

The religious hate for political gains towards Muslims in India will not only affect indians cohesion, but it is also a serious violation of international human rights conventions, the spokesperson noted.

The spokesman said, “Religious harmony and regional stability are being gravely undermined,” and that the world community has to pay attention to India’s worsening human rights situation.

It is India’s fundamental duty to defend the rights of all people, irrespective of their religious affiliation

In the current circumstances, there is an urgent need for reconciliation, inclusivity, and the promotion of tolerance to prevent further alienation of Muslim communities in India,” the spokesperson said.

Pakistan has frequently expressed concerns about India’s treatment of minorities at global forums, especially in light of the emergence of Hindu nationalist organizations. Rights groups have also drawn attention to the country’s growing anti-Muslim attitude and the dwindling space for religious freedom.

According to the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, a New Delhi-based organisation, since the April 22 attack, at least 184 anti-Muslim hate incidents have been recorded countrywide in India.

More than half of the offenses reportedly featured hate speech, and there were three murders, assaults, threats, vandalism, verbal abuse, intimidation, and harassment. The organization claims that the Pahalgam attack was a “triggering factor” in more than 100 of the events.