India is “monitoring” the security situation for its High Commission in Islamabad in the wake of the controversy over comments on Prophet Mohammed, sources said, as groups in Pakistan called for protest marches in several cities to take place on Friday. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi has also called on the Pakistani government to ensure the safety of minorities, sending a formal protest about the attack on a Hindu temple in Karachi’s Korangi area.
“We’ve noted a recent incident of vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Karachi. We believe it’s another act of systemic persecution of religious minorities,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at the weekly media briefing on Thursday. “We’ve conveyed our protest to the Pakistan government, urging them to ensure safety, security & well-being of its minority communities.”
In its response to the Indian statement, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that an FIR has already been registered against the assailants and efforts are underway to identify and arrest them.
