Pakistan & India Clash Over Shia Community: Deflection or Concern?

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday rejected criticism from India regarding the treatment of the Shia community within Pakistan, dismissing the remarks as “cynical and diversionary.” The rebuke followed comments by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) referencing remarks made earlier this month by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Asim Munir.

According to the Indian MEA, Munir’s advice to Shia clerics – reportedly urging those responding to events in Iran to refrain from using Pakistani territory and to channel their concerns appropriately – indicated “systemic victimisation of minorities” within Pakistan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the statement during a weekly press briefing on Friday.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, issued a strong rebuttal, stating that India’s comments were “an exercise in deflection masquerading as concern.” Andrabi further asserted that the remarks were politically motivated and intended to divert attention from India’s own record, according to a statement released by the FO.

The initial meeting between General Munir and Shia clerics, held in Rawalpindi, was intended to discuss national security and the role of religious leaders in fostering societal harmony, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Munir reportedly emphasized the importance of not exploiting religious sentiments to incite violence within the country.

Radio Pakistan reported that Andrabi, responding to media queries, also highlighted India’s own record of discrimination and violence against Muslims, Christians, and other marginalized communities, citing curbs on worship and instances of mob vigilantism.

Brecorder.com reported that Pakistan strongly rejected the Indian remarks, reiterating the characterization of the criticism as “cynical and diversionary.”