Sikh pilgrims visit the shrine in Nankana Sahib on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday summoned the Indian diplomat to convey "Pakistan’s strong rejection of baseless and fabricated" allegations of mistreatment of the Sikh minority community in the country – particularly in the wake of a recent protest at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.
"Indian Charge d’Affaires Gaurav Ahluwaliawas summoned by Director General (South Asia & Saarc) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, today [Tuesday], to convey Pakistan’s strong rejection of baseless and fabricated Indian allegations concerning the Sikh community," said a statement issued by the FO.
A man, identified as Imran, last week incited a protest at a square in Nankana Sahib by giving communal colour to a personal dispute. The man has since been arrested and booked under Anti-Terrorism Act – a non-bailable offence.
The Indian government and its jingoistic media, however, claimed that the protesters pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.
Pakistan denounces attempts to portray Nankana Sahib altercation as ‘communal issue’
DG Saarc Zahid Hafeez conveyed Pakistan’s strong denouncement of the Indian government’s motivated and mischievous allegations of the “attack”, “vandalism” and “desecration” at the holy Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and “targeted killing” of a Pakistani Sikh youth in Peshawar.
He termed the accusations a part of New Delhi "desperate attempts" to divert attention from the continuing state terrorism in Occupied Kashmir and systematic discrimination against minorities in India.
He underscored that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all its citizens and the government is committed to protecting the rights of minorities, with zero-tolerance against any discrimination.
It was emphasized that rather than pointing fingers towards others, the Modi administration should focus on ensuring effective protection of its own minorities and their holy places of worship, including mosques, from repeated instances of desecration, hate crimes and mob lynchings, the communique concluded.
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