Overview
- India’s External Affairs Ministry said the reported comment targeting Shia clerics shows systemic victimisation of minorities in Pakistan.
- Pakistani media have reported that General Asim Munir told clerics viewed as sympathetic to Iran to “go to Iran”, a claim now under scrutiny.
- The reports prompted strong pushback from parts of Pakistan’s Shia community, who say the message stigmatizes a vulnerable minority.
- India also pointed to shrinking minority populations in Pakistan and called its human rights record abysmal to back up its charge.
- Analysts quoted in coverage tie the controversy to tensions linked to conflict involving Iran and note Pakistan’s need to balance regional alignments with domestic sectarian fault lines.