Pakistan strongly condemns the arbitrary action and attempts to demolish portions of the historic Shahi Masjid in Madhya Pradesh, India.

This was stated by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan, while replying to a question at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad this afternoon.

The Spokesperson also condemned the use of force against members of the Muslim community who were peacefully protesting against the attempted demolition.

He said the incident is particularly concerning in the context of an increasingly troubling pattern of arbitrary actions affecting Muslim places of worship and their religious and cultural heritage in India.

Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan said the invocation of administrative practices and rubber-stamping by the compliant judiciary cannot obscure the Islamophobic and Hindutva-driven pattern of persecution of minorities, manifested in threats to their places of worship, cultural heritage, and religious practices.

He said Pakistan calls upon the international community to take immediate cognizance of the continued targeting of Muslims and their places of worship in India.

He said that, rather than creating conditions in which the religious heritage of minority communities is progressively placed under threat, Indian authorities must fulfill their obligations and ensure the protection of minorities, their places of worship, and their fundamental religious freedoms.

Answering another question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson rejected India's attempt to spread confusion through the misleading characterization of the Court of Arbitration's recent award, which has unanimously and firmly affirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in full force and is binding upon both parties, and that India must observe its treaty obligations, including those governing the design and operation of hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers.

He said India cannot escape the binding awards of the Court of Arbitration through unilateral pronouncements or by smokescreening its disregard for binding treaty obligations and adjudicatory outcomes through concocted and misleading narratives.

Replying to another question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan is a responsible member of the international community, adheres to, and shall continue to adhere to, all applicable sanctions regimes in accordance with international as well as domestic laws.

He said Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to a rule-based international system rooted in multilateralism and international law, and that it remains in constant and constructive communication with all relevant stakeholders.

Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan highly values its enduring and multifaceted strategic partnership with the United States and remains fully committed to further strengthening its longstanding diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Washington.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan, being a mediator in communication between Iran and the United States, shall continue to urge both sides to exercise restraint, resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and honour their respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.