Pakistan has strongly criticized India’s recent comments on violations of minority rights and stated that a country that consistently violates its own minority’s rights is unable to advocate these rights on the global scene.

In response to comments from India’s Ministry of External Affairs in Lok Sabha regarding the situation of minority in Pakistan, Pakistan’s spokesman for the foreign office, Shafqat Ali Khan, said India’s own track record of minority rights violations disqualify it from criticizing other nations, reported Express News.

“India has no status of acting as a master of minority rights considering his own serial violations,” Khan said. He added that although Pakistan’s state institutions are actively working to protect minority rights, events targeted against minorities in India occur with the tacit approval or complicity in prevailing fractions.

The spokesman further urged India to focus on tackling his own shortcomings rather than pointing fingers at other countries. “Instead of expressing concern about minorities abroad, India should take concrete steps to protect its own minorities, including Muslims and other vulnerable groups, and ensure the security of their place of worship, cultural heritage and fundamental rights,” the statement states.

In addition to responding to India’s remarks, the Foreign Office also expressed compassion for the devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar, Thailand and the nearby regions and claimed the lives of over 1,000 people.

“Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy,” the spokesman said. “We want a quick recovery to the wounded and praise the efforts of the brave individuals and emergency response respondents involved in rescue and relief operations.”