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Pakistan Rebukes US on Religious Freedom Designation

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has criticized the United States for designating
   the South Asian nation as a violator of religious freedom, saying the
   move was "arbitrary" and the outcome of a "selective assessment."
   While announcing the annual designations Monday, the U.S. State
   Department said it also was placing countries such as China, Iran,
   North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria on the list for engaging in or
   tolerating "systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious
   freedom."
   Islamabad Wednesday rejected Pakistan's inclusion in the U.S. list of
   "countries of particular concern," saying "such subjective" moves do
   not help promote the cause of religious freedom worldwide.
   "The designation of Pakistan as a 'country of particular concern' is
   completely against the realities on the ground and raises serious
   doubts about the credibility of the exercise," said a Foreign Ministry
   statement.
   "Pakistan and the U.S. have been constructively engaging on the subject
   at the bilateral level, a fact regrettably overlooked by the U.S," the
   ministry lamented.
   In its statement, the Foreign Ministry called for tackling the rising
   trend of intolerance, discrimination, xenophobia and Islamophobia"
   through global efforts based on the principles of cooperation and
   mutual understanding.
   While announcing the annual designations this week, Secretary of State
   Mike Pompeo vowed the U.S. will act when religious freedom is attacked.
   "The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No
   country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity
   because of their beliefs," Pompeo underscored.
   Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country of about 220 million, is often
   under fire for crimes against members of its religious minorities,
   including Christians, Ahmadi and Shi'ite Muslims, and Hindus.
   Last month, three international human rights groups jointly expressed
   concern over a surge in the targeted killings of members of the Ahmadi
   community in Pakistan and urged the government to take immediate
   action.

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