According to Pakistan’s news website Dawn News, a US panel has raised concerns over worsening religious freedom in Pakistan and India. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its latest report, recommended sanctions against Pakistani officials and government agencies for alleged violations of religious rights. It also urged action against India’s external intelligence agency, RAW, over alleged plots to assassinate Sikh separatists abroad.
The USCIRF, an independent advisory body, reported that religious minorities in Pakistan—particularly Christians, Hindus, Shia Muslims, and Ahmadis—continue to face persecution, blasphemy accusations, and violent attacks. It highlighted that in 2024, incidents of mob violence over blasphemy charges increased, often with little legal action against perpetrators. The report also pointed to the ongoing forced conversions of Christian and Hindu women and girls.
To address these issues, the panel recommended that the US government impose targeted sanctions on responsible Pakistani officials, freezing their assets and restricting their US entry. It also suggested re-designating Pakistan as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) and urged reforms, including making blasphemy bailable, requiring evidence for accusations, and enforcing laws against false allegations and vigilante violence.
Regarding India, the report stated that religious freedom deteriorated in 2024, with increasing attacks and discrimination against minorities. It accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading hateful rhetoric against Muslims and other communities during election campaigns. The report also mentioned rising hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status as signs of worsening religious freedoms.
India dismissed the report as “biased and politically motivated”, with a foreign ministry spokesperson stating that it misrepresented isolated incidents and unfairly criticized India’s diverse society.
A significant issue in US-India relations has been allegations of India’s involvement in targeting Sikh separatists abroad. The report referenced the US indictment of ex-Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav in a foiled plot to kill a Sikh leader in the US. Despite these findings, analysts believe it is unlikely that Washington will impose sanctions on India’s spy agency, RAW, due to strategic US-India ties, especially concerning China’s influence in Asia.
While the USCIRF’s recommendations are non-binding, they highlight ongoing religious freedom concerns in both South Asian nations.
