Earlier in the day, Punjab's Minister for Information and Culture Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, while addressing a press conference had passed derogatory remarks against the country's Hindu community while criticising India, drawing the ire of political leaders.
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"You cow urine-drinking people, listen to me,” Chohan had said during the press conference. "We are Muslims and we have the flag of Hazrat Ali (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA)'s bravery. You don't have that flag." He further said "idol-worshippers" shouldn't operate under the delusion that they are better than Pakistan.
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The country's finance minister slammed Chohan and reminded him that, "Quaid-e-Azam's whole struggle was for a country free of discrimination".
Hindus of Pakistan are as much a part of the fabric of the nation as I am. Remember the flag of Pakistan is not just green....its not complete without the white which represents the minorities. Quaide Azam's whole struggle was for a country free of discrimination
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 4, 2019
Human Rights Minister, Shireen Mazari also criticised her colleague and said: "Our Hindu citizens have given sacrifices for their country ... we cannot condone any form of bigotry or spread of religious hatred."
Absolutely condemn this. No one has the right to attack anyone else's religion. Our Hindu citizens have given sacrifices for their country. Our PM's msg is always of tolerance & respect & we cannot condone any form of bigotry or spread of religious hatred. https://t.co/uOTeyEg4Pb
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) March 4, 2019
Special Assistant to the PM Imran Khan, Naeemul Haque, said the party will be taking strict action against the minister and "nonsense" will not be tolerated from a senior member of the government or from anyone else.
The derogatory and insulting remarks against the Hindu community by Fayyaz Chohan the Punjab Info Minister demand strict action. PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone. Action will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) March 4, 2019
According to the Pakistan Hindu Council, the Hindu community constitutes around four per cent of the country's population.
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