Temple attacked in Pakistan, MEA summons envoy

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 5

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires Aftab Hassan Khan on Thursday to lodge a protest against “continued attacks” on the freedom of religion of the minority community and their places of worship in Pakistan.

The move followed surfacing of videos of a violent mob attacking a Ganesha temple at Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province of Pakistan. The mob attacked the temple, desecrated holy idols and set fire to the premises. The mob also reportedly attacked houses in the vicinity belonging to the Hindu community, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. The MEA called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety and well-being of its minority communities, while recalling that within the last year itself, several temples and gurdwaras had been attacked. Pakistan PM Imran Khan tweeted, “Strongly condemn the attack on Ganesh Mandir yesterday. I have already asked the IG Punjab to ensure arrest of all culprits. The government will restore the mandir.”