Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:00pm on 09 Jan 2024,Tuesday International
Pakistan rejects the US designation as a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, included Pakistan and China in the list, prompting Pakistan to defend its pluralistic traditions. The Pakistani foreign office termed the tag "discriminatory" and emphasized bilateral engagement to address concerns. Global criticism persists over Pakistan's blasphemy laws, misused against religious minorities. Forced conversions and kidnappings further raise human rights concerns. China, criticized for Uyghur treatment, also faces scrutiny. Both nations refute the allegations, highlighting the complexity of religious freedom on the global stage.
