The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has issued a report detailing its assessment of the recently-concluded general election, expressing deep concerns over a decline in fairness scores compared to previous election cycles.
WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday placed Pakistan on a list of countries that “engaged in or tolerated, particularly severe violations of religious freedom” during 2022.
“Around the world, governments and non-state actors harass, threaten, jail, and even kill individuals on account of their beliefs,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken while announcing the designations.
“In some instances, they stifle individuals’ freedom of religion or belief to exploit opportunities for political gain.”
Noting that such actions sow division, undermine economic security, and threaten political stability and peace, the top US diplomat said his country,
“will not stand by in the face of these abuses”.
Therefore, “today, I am announcing designations against Burma (Myanmar), the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK (North Korea), Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern …for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom”.
Pakistan stayed on this several years before it was moved to the list of violators.
The Trump administration first placed Pakistan on this list in Dec 2018 and retained it in 2020 as well.
The Biden administration, which came to office in January last year, retained the old list with some changes, but kept Pakistan on it.
As it was hoped, United States still don't want to Israel and India on this list as the world sees these both countries most intolerable countries for religious minorities.
With this step, publishing of such list has no significant value except for political puposes.
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