Pakistan rejects India’s ‘concerns’ over Shia community as an attempt at “deflection”

The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has strongly dismissed India’s comments regarding the treatment of Pakistan’s Shia community, calling them “cynical” and an “exercise in deflection masquerading as concern.”

The rejection follows remarks made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) about a statement allegedly made by Pakistan’s Field Marshal and COAS General Asim Munir, in which he had addressed the violent agitators reacting to events in Iran, Dawn News reported on Sunday.

The controversy began after a meeting earlier this month between the Field Marshal and Shia clerics in Rawalpindi. The Army Chief warned that religious sentiments must not be manipulated to incite violence within Pakistan.

On March 27, 2026, India’s MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, accused Pakistan of systemic victimisation of its minorities, particularly the Shia community. The Indian statement claimed that Field Marshal’s comments were part of this ongoing discrimination.

In response, Pakistan’s FO spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, dismissed India’s criticisms as an attempt to deflect attention from its own record of discrimination and violence against marginalised communities, especially Muslims. Andrabi pointed to the alarming rise in mob lynchings and other forms of violence against Muslims in India, noting the lack of accountability for these acts.

He called on India to focus on addressing its own issues, including ensuring the protection of minorities in line with international obligations, rather than making baseless accusations. He also highlighted how these discriminatory actions were well-documented and had escalated in recent years, including the targeting of mosques and violent mob attacks on Muslims.

Earlier this week, tensions between the two countries flared when India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar used derogatory language to criticise Pakistan’s involvement in mediating peace talks between Iran and the United States, calling Pakistan a “broker” in the process. The Pakistan Foreign Office had described his comments as “undiplomatic” and reflective of growing frustration.