Pakistan affirms minority rights amid US probe call

FO spox says Pakistan 'fully determined' to protect, promote constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms

WASHINGTON/ ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday said Pakistan was fully determined to protect and promote the constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the individuals belonging to religious minorities.

In a statement, she said as a country of law and constitution, Pakistan could not accept the intolerant and violent acts in yesterday's incident in Faisalabad.

The statement came as the United States on Wednesday had urged Pakistan to investigate mob attacks against churches and Christian homes that broke out in Punjab.

Hundreds of people attacked a predominantly Christian area on the outskirts of Faisalabad after over blasphemy allegations.

"We are deeply concerned that churches and homes were targeted in response to reported Koran desecration in Pakistan," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

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He said that while the United States backed free expression, "violence or the threat of violence is never an acceptable form of expression."

"We urge Pakistani authorities to conduct a full investigation into these allegations and call for calm," he said.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has strongly condemned the reprehensible incident that took place in Faisalabad yesterday where churches were targeted and that hurt the sentiments of Christians across the country, she said. She said these acts are illegal and unconstitutional.

"Our law enforcement authorities took swift action yesterday. They have been instructed by the prime minister to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice," she added.

The spokesperson said as a multicultural and multi-faith country, Pakistan was fully determined to protect and promote their constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms and to foster social harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect. Agencies