India summons Pakistan Acting High Commissioner on Nankana Sahib attack and murder of Sikh youth

New Delhi, January 7: With situation becoming tensed in Pakistan considering the Sikh Community, India on Monday summoned Pakistan's Acting Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest over desecration of the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and killing of a Sikh man in Peshawar. The External Affairs Ministry said the diplomat was conveyed that Pakistan should ensure safety, security and welfare of members of minority communities.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs said, “Pakistan's Char d'affaires Syed Haider Shah was summoned today to lodge strong protest at the recent acts of vandalism and desecration of the holy Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib and the targeted killing of minority Sikh community member in Peshawar.” Raising concerns regarding the issue of 'minority persecution' in Pakistan the MEA conveyed to Haider Shah, "India also shared strong concerns raised by members of civil society, parliamentarians and others at the continued persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan, including the recent despicable and heinous acts."

The MEA statement urged Pakistan to ensure safety and security of the minority communities and bring the perpetrators to book. "Government of Pakistan was called upon to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the minority communities in Pakistan, including their places of worship, and take immediate measures to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of such despicable and heinous acts to justice", read the statement.

The incident of a violent mob attacking the Gurudwara occurred on Friday when the main accused Imran Chishti, along with a group of people laid siege to the worship place also known as Gurdwara Janam Asthan, a site near Lahore where the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born.