Pakistan’s Foreign Office Criticizes USCIRF Report as Flawed and Misguided

Islamabad, The Foreign Office of Pakistan, through spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, has officially dismissed the latest report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as erroneous and not reflective of the actual religious freedoms in Pakistan. During her weekly briefing, Baloch criticized the report’s foundations and questioned its impartiality, pointing to perceived inconsistencies in the application of its standards globally.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the spokesperson expressed concerns over the USCIRF’s methodology, describing it as influenced by geopolitical biases and noting the inconsistency of the US State Department’s response to the commission’s recommendations, particularly concerning India. The Foreign Office highlighted the increase in Islamophobia as a significant issue overlooked by international bodies. Baloch emphasized that fostering global understanding and cooperation requires dialogue and constructive engagement rather than arbitrary designations.

The spokesperson also addressed regional security concerns, specifically the threats from terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, including recent attacks on Chinese engineers. Pakistan is calling for more effective actions from Afghan authorities against terrorist groups like the TTP. The briefing reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri cause at international forums, including the recent Islamic summit in Gambia, where the OIC reiterated its support for Kashmir.