A day after the US designated seven countries including Pakistan as "Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998", Pakistan rejected the report saying that it is politically motivated and completely ignores the steps that have been taken in the recent past.
READ MORE: 'Fourth Generation Espionage', Trump’s Letter to Khan, 'Crimean Corridor'
"Pakistan rejects the US State Department's unilateral and pronouncement released today in the context of its annual religious freedom report. Besides the clear biases reflected from these designations, there are serious questions on the credentials and impartiality of the self-proclaimed jury involved in this unwarranted exercise", Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday morning.
Foreign Office rejects US State Department's unilateral & politically motivated pronouncement released in its annual religious freedom report. Foreign Office Spokesperson said #Pakistan is a multi-religious & pluralistic society where people of diverse faiths live together. pic.twitter.com/hnaYArzAOc
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) December 12, 2018
US blacklists Pakistan for violating religious freedom
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 11, 2018
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/LhzN5O9X3c pic.twitter.com/vtRdtPBYB1
Around four percent of Pakistan's total population comprises citizens belonging to minority faiths like Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Pakistan recently resolved its high-profile case pending with Supreme Court in October with the release of Asia Bibi — a Christian woman facing the death penalty on charges of blasphemy.
"The higher judiciary of the country has made several landmark decisions to protect the properties and places of worships of minorities", Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised.
READ MORE: Trump Offers Khan to Renew US-Pakistani Partnership — Islamabad
Imran Khan's government has taken several steps in the recent past against hardliners in Pakistan and clearly warned them of the consequences if they break the law related to religious freedom. The government recently charged a hardline cleric, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, with terrorism and sedition after he led violent protests against Asia Bibi's acquittal.
The US, in its report released on Tuesday, emphasised that it will not stand as a spectator in the face of oppression against individuals who continue to face harassment, arrests or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs.
