Pakistan engages Malaysia to counter baseless claims over Pahalgam

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected the attribution of the Pahalgam incident to Pakistan without evidence and reiterated his offer for a transparent, credible and impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident.

Shehbaz Sharif contacted Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would welcome Malaysia’s involvement in the investigation. Pakistan has always condemned all forms of terrorism.

The PM said that Pakistan is emerging from a serious economic crisis and moving towards economic stability, and it is unthinkable to be involved in such a conflict.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also contacted the Malaysian Foreign Minister. Ishaq Dar informed the Malaysian Foreign Minister about the recent developments in the region and India’s provocative actions.

On the other hand, OIC-IPHRC expresses deep concerns over the alarming rise in Islamophobia, hate-motivated violence, and targeted reprisal attacks against Muslim communities in India and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) in the aftermath of a tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam district of IOJK and calls for the protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of Muslims in India

Jeddah, May 3, 2025: The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expresses profound concern and condemnation regarding disturbing reports from international media which suggested an increase in late speech, targeted reprisal attacks, and acts of violence both online and offline, against Muslims in various parts of India, as well as Kashmiri Muslims in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK). The reported incidents of hate-driven violence against Muslims appear to be fueled by far-right Hindu nationalist groups, which wrongfully blame Muslims for a recent violent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam district of IOJK. While the Commission offers its condolences for the loss of civilian lives in the Pahalgam incident, it reaffirms that such unprovoked acts of violence against innocent civilians are violations of human rights and human dignity. As such, the Commission calls for a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident and urge urges all to respect the sanctity of human life and ensure the protection of civilians at all times.

The Commission is deeply concerned about the unfounded scapegoating of Muslim communities in India following the Pahalgam incident. This represents a harmful attempt by far-right Hindu nationalists to incite communal violence. Such actions are exacerbated by lack of accountability and the growing systemic and systematic normalization of anti-Muslim rhetoric. It is important to note that India is home to over 200 million Muslims, who constitute nearly 14 percent of the country’s population. The protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of Muslim minorities is a binding obligation for India under international human rights law. Key instruments in this regard include Articles 2, 18, 26, and 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 2(2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). These human rights instruments guarantee the right to life and dignity, freedom of religion or belief, protection against discrimination, and freedom from incitement to hatred and violence. It requires states to avoid discriminatory practices and take proactive steps to protect minorities from violence, systemic exclusion, hate speech, and marginalization.