ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep concerns over the discriminatory and anti-Muslim policies and practices of the RSS inspired Indian government.

In her opening statement at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui regretted that the policies persisted regardless of the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

She pointed out that a systematic campaign was unfortunately underway in India to demonize Muslims who faced increased exclusion as well as threat of mob violence.

The spokesperson said the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) had also voiced deep concerns over rising anti-Muslim sentiments and Islamophobia within political and media circles as well as the social media platforms where Indian Muslim minority was being blamed for the spread of the coronavirus.

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Referring to the Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson reminded that it was an internationally disputed territory and killing of people, use of brute force and blocking communication links constituted violation of international laws.

“Pakistan is concerned over the increasing persecution of journalists in the occupied territory on baseless and concocted charges,” she said.

Aisha Farooqui said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani missions abroad continued to provide relief and assistance to the overseas Pakistani community in the wake of Corona Virus. Food ration and financial assistance was being provided to those in need, she maintained.

She said repatriation of Pakistanis was continuing as per the comprehensive and phased plan developed with the coordination of relevant stakeholders. She said five thousand and seventy nine Pakistanis had been brought back from different countries in the third phase of this plan.

“In addition, one thousand, two hundred and fifty-four Pakistani nationals have been brought back through land borders in the last few days including forty one from India through Wagah border,” she said.