Pakistan has strongly rejected remarks made by India about the treatment of the Shia community, calling them cynical and diversionary attempts to shift attention away from India’s own record on minority rights. Officials in Islamabad said the statements misrepresented internal discussions and were designed to create a misleading narrative about Pakistan’s domestic affairs.
The comments followed statements from India’s foreign ministry referring to remarks reportedly made by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, during a recent meeting with Shia scholars. According to participants, the discussion focused on regional developments and emphasized the importance of maintaining internal stability while preventing religious tensions from fueling violence within Pakistan.
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During the meeting in Rawalpindi, the military leadership also reassured scholars that Pakistan’s territory would not be used against neighboring Iran. Officials said the conversation centered on national security concerns and encouraged religious leaders to promote unity, restraint and social harmony during a period of heightened regional tensions.
However, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the reported remarks as evidence of what he called systemic discrimination against minorities in Pakistan. The statement quickly drew a sharp response from Islamabad, which rejected the accusations and criticized New Delhi for raising what it described as unfounded claims.
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In response, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said India’s criticism could not conceal its own record of violence and discrimination against Muslim communities. He pointed to incidents of mob vigilantism, restrictions on religious practices and attacks on homes and businesses as examples that raised serious human rights concerns.
Officials further stated that more than fifty Muslims were reportedly lynched in India during 2025, while additional killings have been recorded since early 2026. Pakistan urged India to address these concerns domestically and ensure the protection of minorities in line with constitutional guarantees and international human rights commitments.