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Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had responded to India's "verbal demarche" on the issue by making it clear that the Sikhs in this country are Pakistani citizens and are of "no concern of India."
"Pakistan is fully cognisant of the issue of the Sikhs and of the welfare of all its citizens, especially the minorities," said Basit.
Diplomatic sources said the issue of Sikhs being forced out of their homes in Pakistan's Aurakzai tribal agency after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or tax imposed on non-Muslims was taken up on Friday with the Foreign Office by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
It was also taken up with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian side was told by the Pakistanis that it "need not worry about the Sikhs" and that the move was "tantamount to interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs," the sources said.
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THE PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN ABDUL BASIT'S RESPONSE TO INDIA'S CONCERN ABOUT THE SIKHS IS UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE
Good one by Pakistan.A weak nation like India is slapped like this repeatedly by it's neiboughers.
We are concerned about the non muslims in pakistan. are we aware of what is the fate of them in india? I think we should worry about our affairs first and preach what we profess. No use of geting sentimental. Taliban are reincarnation of people who made an end to mugal rule in Combined india. Pakistan is just fraction of that. It will not take that long to see an end to it. Public did it then and will do now also. Have confidence.
Expressing concern is not 'interefering in its internal affairs'. India helped Pakistan at times of disasters.
the situation of minorities is an internal maffair of pakistan. india should not worry toooo much of this issue. india should concentrate on home issues. pakistan is a sovereign country and more than capable of solving the problems of their citizens a sper their constituition. india should not paly hero role and do something stupid.
The Pak government should not adopt double standards with regard to minorities in their country vis-a-vis the muslim minorities in other countries like India where they were never discriminated Against and treated equal before law with full constitutional safe guards.In India any citizen can aspire to become President or prime minister of the country ,can any minority Pakistani citizen aspire tobecome president even in his dreams?.They must feelashamed to interfere in the internal matters of our country with regard to our minotities if the same yardstick which they chose totalk in their defence of their government's policy towards their minorities.They must learn to cultivate tolerance to wards other faiths when peace and progress will flourish in the world and terrorism and violence based on religions will disappear for good.
Good to hear that India is concerned about the welfare of Sikhs in Pakistan, Nice. But India don;t have any rights to raise this issue.....If they have any rights on Sikhs; the same rights applicable to Tamils in Sri-lanka. Because India and Indian Government did lot of unusual things to Tamils in Sri-lanka..
It is shameful to call it an internal matter of Pakistan. If it is their internal matter where is government to protect its citizens?
What about Hindus in Pakistan how are they doing. Maybe sikhs do better because it was part support of Pakistani that Sikh Militancy occurred now they do terrible things to them. Well what about Hindus in Pakistan what is happening to them?Or what has happen to them?
I agree with Praveen! The GOI should work very hard with the help of the International community to bring back not only the Sikhs but also all the other minorities (Hindus, Christians and others who are all tortured in such a radical and terrorist Islam country called Pakistan). In exchange, the GOI should send all the traitors who are living in India, eating our salt, getting a lot of favours from our Govt. with our tax money, but are constantly supporting Pakistan, causing so much of pain and damage to our beloved India. No one should be allowed to live in India as an Indian citizen if she or he is not a patriotic. This includes the (in)famous Ms. Arundhati Roy as well as all the Muslims who hate India (most of the Kashmiri Muslims) and want to join or talk in favour of Pakistan (making stupid statements such as "nanga bhookha Hindustan, jaan se pyara Pakistan"). My blood boils when I hear that and I sincerely pray to God for such a wonderful exchange of people to happen under the supervision and direction of the United Nations.
The entire Tamil race is getting Wiped out in SriLanka. The people displaced because of Srilankan Army are held in nazi style concentration camps. India too concerned about Sikhs being taxed in Pak but don't care about Tamils in SriLanka. This is a total Double Standard.
had BJP was ruling india pakis dare not speak nonsense. its congress, they know is useless. pakis will dare not speak to americans like this.why sikhs who suffered since 1984 still vote for incompetent govt beats me.
Well, may be Indian government should start taxing the muslims in reciprocation. Tax them so they have no money left to have four wives, and 100 children from each wife. Tax them so they have no money left to buy RDX or guns. Tax them so they chose to leave India, and go to their favorite destination - pakistan, the hell hole.
If this is you mind set then God save you. I think if you have 2 children from one wife. Both the children belong to your neighbour. You are impotent. Agree to it. It will take frustration out of you.
Isn't it true that pakistan claims to provide diplomatic and moral support to kashmiri separatist muslims whenever they are told to back off from Kashmir? May be pakistan should get out of meddling in India's internal affairs.
Congeress party and UPA government wants only to import Bangladeshi to India,thinking Bangladeshi Muslims will vote for the UPA government.Inspite of having a Rajya Sabha sikh PM MMS, congress and UPA government are not going to help Sikh community, secular UPA government only does vote bank politics.
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Mr. Abdul Basit is trying to water down the issue of minorities in Pakistan. The Sikhs of Aurakzai tribal agency have been forced to move out of their homes. They have not left their home for some picnik. It is not an aftermath of a minor altercation between some local citizens settling some minor local issues. These Sikh have been frightened by the well planned mighty terror of Taliban. The demand of Jazia is idiotic, undemocratic and sinful. There is no need to remind Pakistan that the founder of state had declared it a Secular State where religion and state would be separate. Protection of minorities is the litmus test for any democracy. The Pak government must crush these Taleban and their heinous ideology with all the strength available at its disposal. Failing to which this region would be exposed to unimaginable hardships for innocent citizens.Dismissing it simply as internal matter of Pakistan would embolden these Talebanis into more daring adventures.
Similarly, Pakistan should not worry about the Muslims in Kashmir, because they are Indian Citizens.
good to hear that india is concerned about the welfare of sikhs in pakistan who were displaced by taliban,what have they (india)done for kashmiri hindus which were displaced in kashmir.
Dear Editor,India has all the right to express concern and protest on the treatment meted out to minoritis in Pakistan where law and order has become unmanagable. PSGPC should also pressurise their Govt. to get the effected Sikhs compensated. Not only Sikhs, Hindus Cristian and Ahmedias even Shias who are a recognised as a sect of Islam are not spared by Taliban. We Indians are helpless to take any direct action except protest.Regards,Jafar Zaidi
Then why paki terrorists are wagging their tail in Kashmire and else where across India?
India should not worry about the minorities in Pakistan, because they are the happiest people on the face of earth! They are in constant merry making! If anyone has read the books of Islam, he/she can very clearly understand how best non-muslims (kafir) be treated. They will be STRONGLY persuaded and cheated. Then their women should be stolen from them. And ultimately if they are not at all willing to change their minds, cut their throats with a clean sword. You can see the picture of this notorious sword on the national flags of a few arab countries. How beautiful it is! Anybody dare imagining about this horrible activity??
what are you doing in india you people should me thrown out from india.
So stop interfering in neighbouring countries affairs. Good > So Mr.Minister fit for nothing, will you stop raising your sulky voice over Kashmir and your unwanted ref to Ayodhya and Gujarat here after. Do it and then find we don't even bother to look how you are destroying your self.
India dont need to worry about Sikhs ,We(Pakis) are doing just accordingly what Islam tell us to treat Non-Muslims everything is peaceful and under control.
Pakis also supported the Sikh Khalistan movement to break away from India.
And does Islam tell you to bow before wild animals like the Taliban?
Point taken. But practice what you preach! Don not worry about the Indian Muslims In Kashmir, Gujarat or elsewhere in India. GOT IT! YOU BETTER GET IT RIGHT !!
Pakistan is about to destroy. India should take control of Baluchistan,Remaining part of Kashmir.
Let us get the Sikhs to India! UPA government will no interest because they would not amount to much votes like the Bangladeshi Muslims do, but this is a much more noble cause. When one party in India imports Bangladeshis for their vote factor, why not get the Sihks to protect their lives?