Pakistan Rejects India\u2019s Remarks on Shia Muslims Following Controversy Over Army Chief\u2019s Comments
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\nPakistan has rejected India\u2019s criticism over the treatment of Shia Muslims after remarks attributed to Pakistan\u2019s army chief, Asim Munir, sparked controversy.<\/p>\n
According to Indian officials and Pakistani media reports, Munir told members of Pakistan\u2019s Shia community that \u201cif they had concerns about sectarian issues in Pakistan, they could go to Iran.\u201d The remarks were reportedly made during a meeting with Shia clerics and community representatives.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s Ministry of External Affairs responded by saying the remarks reflected the \u201csystemic victimisation of minorities\u201d in Pakistan and specifically highlighted concerns about the treatment of Shia Muslims.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Ministry then issued a formal rebuttal. Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described India\u2019s statement as \u201ccynical and diversionary\u201d and said it was \u201can exercise in deflection masquerading as concern.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrabi said India\u2019s comments could not hide what he called \u201cthe steady normalisation of discrimination and violence\u201d against minorities in India, including Muslims, Christians and other marginalised communities. He referred to restrictions on worship, mob violence and attacks on places of worship.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s statement specifically claimed that more than 55 Muslims were lynched in India during 2025, while more than 19 others had been killed in similar incidents since January 2026. Andrabi also said mosques and other religious sites had been targeted and that those responsible often acted with impunity.<\/p>\n
The exchange follows criticism from several Shia clerics in Pakistan, who publicly condemned Munir\u2019s reported remarks and said they insulted the loyalty of Pakistan\u2019s Shia community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan Rejects India\u2019s Remarks on Shia Muslims Following Controversy Over Army Chief\u2019s Comments —————————— Pakistan has rejected India\u2019s criticism over the treatment of Shia Muslims after remarks attributed to Pakistan\u2019s army chief, Asim Munir, sparked controversy. According to Indian officials and Pakistani media reports, Munir told members of Pakistan\u2019s Shia community that \u201cif they had …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":141208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pakistan"],"yoast_head":"\n