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Religious Freedom Under Attack In Pakistan, Says Tillerson

Washington(August 17, 2017): Citing the marginalisation of Ahmadis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said religious freedom is “under attack” in Pakistan.

Tillerson made the comments at the State Department while introducing the agency’s annual report on religious freedom, required by a 1998 act of Congress. The report is the first to be released during the Trump administration and covers 2016.

“It is my hope that the new prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his government will promote interfaith harmony and protect the rights of religious minorities,” Tillerson said.

In 2016, violence committed by armed sectarian groups connected to outfits banned by the government, as well as abuses by individuals and groups designated as terrorist organisations by the US and other governments continued, the report said.

The report also highlighted attacks in India by cow protection groups against people accused of bovine trafficking or having beef in their refrigerators or vehicles.

He further stated that US allies including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain did not uphold principles of religious freedom in 2016, while Islamic State (IS) has carried out “genocide” against religious minorities.

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