ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat on Thursday to criticize the administration in New Delhi for putting a "mischievous spin" on a recent incident that took place at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib where a female blogger took some pictures without covering her head.
Reacting to the development, the Indian external affairs ministry called it a "reprehensible incident" which had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
The ministry called Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires while issuing a statement which claimed the "desecration" of a Sikh place of worship showed little concern in Pakistan for minority religious communities.
"Given its systematic marginalization and brutalization of minorities, India has no locus standi to even feign concern for minorities elsewhere," said the foreign office of Pakistan in its official statement while rejecting the "mischievous spin given by India to an isolated incident involving an individual" visiting the Sikh temple.
"It was conveyed to the Indian diplomat that the incident was swiftly addressed and clarified," added the statement. "The Government of Pakistan accords highest primacy to the rights of the minorities. Sanctity of religious places and revered sites of every community is ensured in Pakistan."
The Pakistani foreign office maintained the Indian authorities should focus on ensuring effective protection of their own minorities and places of worship from repeated instances of desecration, hate crimes and mob lynching.
India and Pakistan, the two South Asian nuclear giants, have remained bitter rivals and fought three wars since their independence in 1947.
Pakistan condemns India's 'mischievous spin' on Gurdwara Darbar Sahib incident
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Pakistan condemns India's 'mischievous spin' on Gurdwara Darbar Sahib incident
- A Pakistani blogger took photographs at the Sikh place of worship, making India call it a 'reprehensible' act
- The foreign office in Islamabad highlighted 'systematic marginalization' of minorities in India, saying New Delhi was not in a position to comment
Saudi Arabia, US, Türkiye condemn separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan
- Kingdom says it stands with Pakistan as security forces kill 133 militants in counteroffensive this week
- Attacks hit multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar, killing civilians and security personnel
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia, US, Türkiye and Qatar this week condemned separatist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, expressing solidarity with Islamabad after a wave of coordinated violence killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts.
In a statement cited by the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom said it rejected violence in all its forms and stood with Pakistan as its security forces responded to the attacks.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” he said in a social media message on Saturday.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its firm position rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism.”
Pakistan’s military said on Saturday its forces killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province, following assaults that targeted civilians and law enforcement personnel in several towns, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Kharan.
The military said it had killed 41 militants on Friday in separate operations in Panjgur and Harnai, bringing the total number of militants killed in the past two days to 133.
The military said 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed in attacks on laborer families in Gwadar and Kharan, while 15 security personnel died during clearance operations and armed standoffs.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard stability and security.
US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker also condemned the attacks in a statement shared by the US embassy on Sunday.
“The United States remains a steadfast partner of Pakistan in its efforts to ensure peace and stability. We stand in solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time,” Baker was quoted as saying.
The Turkish foreign ministry also condemned the attacks and prayed for the souls of the soldiers who were killed.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks as well and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts in all forms, regardless of their motives or justifications.”
https://x.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/2017643162211438683
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency marked by attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and civilians, as Pakistan steps up counter-militancy operations in the region.
