ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned anti-Azaan (Muslims’ call to prayer) measures around various mosques in the Indian state of Karnataka, the Pakistani foreign office said, describing it as a “new level of religious radicalism.”
Rights groups and minority leaders say religious freedom has significantly deteriorated in India under the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which denies it discriminates against Muslims or any other religious minorities.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom last month asked India be placed on a list of “countries of particular concern” — a recommendation that angered New Delhi and was virtually certain to be dismissed by the US State Department.
This is the third straight year, the panel, which is appointed to offer recommendations but does not set US policy, has voiced wide concern about South Asia.
“Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the highly deplorable incidents involving playing of Hanuman Chalisa and other Hindu devotional songs on loudspeakers as a counter to the Muslims’ call to prayer at various mosques in Indian state of Karnataka,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
It said the disturbing incidents occurred only a day after Sri Ram Sena chief made the despicable call for “drowning” the Azaan through provocative playing of Hanuman Chalisa and other Hindu religious hymns.
“It is condemnable that a reprehensible so-called ‘Azan se Azaadi’ campaign has been launched by Hindu fanatic groups in Karnataka which lays bare the new level of religious radicalism in the BJP (Bharataiya Janata Party)-ruled India,” the statement read.
The Pakistani foreign office said loudspeakers were being removed from mosques across various states in India on the pretext of ensuring “communal harmony.”
“The ‘othering’ of Muslims in India and exclusionary policies aimed at denying their fundamental right to profess and practice their religion, only expose the deep-seated anti-Muslim prejudices in the Indian state and society,” it said further.
Islamabad called upon the Indian government to transparently investigate the incidents of widespread violence against minorities, particularly Muslims, and their places of worship, and take measures to stop such incidents in the future.
The government of India must ensure the safety, security and well-being of minorities, it added.
The foreign office urged the international community to take note of the aggravating situation of Islamophobia in India, and play its due role in ensuring religious freedom and safety of Muslims residing in India.
In 2021, several attacks targeted religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, in India as PM Modi’s government promoted its “ideological vision of a Hindu state” through policies hostile to minorities.
Mobs and vigilante groups have carried out campaigns of threats and violence against minorities, giving rise to a culture of impunity in the South Asian country.
Pakistan condemns anti-Azaan measures in India’s Karnataka, calls it ‘religious radicalism’
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Pakistan condemns anti-Azaan measures in India’s Karnataka, calls it ‘religious radicalism’
- A US commission last month said religious freedom had ‘significantly’ worsened in India
- In 2021, several attacks targeted religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians
Islamabad says surge in aircraft orders after India standoff could end IMF reliance
- Pakistani jets came into the limelight after Islamabad claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft during a standoff in May last year
- Many countries have since stepped up engagement with Pakistan, while others have proposed learning from PAF’s multi-domain capabilities
ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Pakistan has witnessed a surge in aircraft orders after a four-day military standoff with India last year and, if materialized, they could end the country’s reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The statement came hours after a high-level Bangladeshi defense delegation met Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to discuss a potential sale of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, a multi-role fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan that has become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over the past decade.
Fighter jets used by Pakistan came into the limelight after Islamabad claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets, during the military conflict with India in May last year. India acknowledged losses in the aerial combat but did not specify a number.
Many countries have since stepped up defense engagement with Pakistan, while delegations from multiple other nations have proposed learning from Pakistan Air Force’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities that successfully advanced Chinese military technology performs against Western hardware.
“Right now, the number of orders we are receiving after reaching this point is significant because our aircraft have been tested,” Defense Minister Asif told a Pakistan’s Geo News channel.
“We are receiving those orders, and it is possible that after six months we may not even need the IMF.”
Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier able to offer aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.
“I am saying this to you with full confidence,” Asif continued. “If, after six months, all these orders materialize, we will not need the IMF.”
Pakistan has repeatedly turned to the IMF for financial assistance to stabilize its economy. These loans come with strict conditions including fiscal reforms, subsidy cuts and measures to increase revenue that Pakistan must implement to secure disbursements.
In Sept. 2024, the IMF approved a $7 billion bailout for Pakistan under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program and a separate $1.4 billion loan under its climate resilience fund in May 2025, aimed at strengthening the country’s economic and climate resilience.
Pakistan has long been striving to expand defense exports by leveraging its decades of counter-insurgency experience and a domestic industry that produces aircraft, armored vehicles, munitions and other equipment.
The South Asian country reached a deal worth over $4 billion to sell military equipment to the Libyan National Army, Reuters report last month, citing Pakistani officials. The deal, one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, included the sale of 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft for basic pilot training.
