Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed concern over the worsening situation of minorities in Pakistan, calling it "extremely disturbing."
Backing External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's statement, Tharoor admitted that the Indian government cannot directly voice its concerns as there is no active dialogue between India and Pakistan.
"It is a positive indication that we are worried about the welfare of minorities in Pakistan. Another problem is that no real dialogue between India and Pakistan is taking place. Otherwise, we would have been able to express our grievances directly and approach redressal," Tharoor said.
He added further, "The minister's announcement was absolutely true, and let us note that there's an extremely alarming scenario in our next-door country."
Tharoor's remarks followed Jaishankar, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, saying that India is "very closely" observing acts of violence against minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He reminded that even though India is keeping its position clear, it can't change the "fanatical and bigoted mindset" of a neighboring country.
Jaishankar reported a number of recent incidents in Pakistan, involving three cases with regard to the Sikh community. In one case, a Sikh family was assaulted, and in another, threats were made regarding the reopening of an old gurdwara. A Sikh girl was also allegedly abducted and forcibly converted. Two cases regarding the Ahmadiyya community were also reported, one of which involved the sealing of a mosque and another where 40 graves were desecrated. The minister added and highlighted another incident affecting the Christian community, in which a mentally unstable man was charged with blasphemy.
On March 26, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) issued a report noting a significant increase in attacks on religious minorities during the first quarter of 2025. The report deplored the increasing abuses, asserting that justice is yet to come because of the resource shortage and the power of religious and political forces.
HRFP President Naveed Walter said, "Religious minorities in Pakistan are softer targets for attacks, killings, blasphemy accusations, abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages. Neglect and the failure to take note of their sufferings are all the more hurtful."
The report referred to concrete cases, such as the false charge of theft against Christian youth Wasif Masih from Chak Jhumra, Faisalabad, who was brutally beaten and publicly humiliated by having black paint applied to his face.
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