Pakistan's minister asked to quit over his anti-Hindu remarks

Lahore: Pakistan's Punjab province Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan was on Tuesday asked to resign over his anti-Hindu remarks that invited intense criticism by senior party leaders and the minority community, according to a media report.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar summoned Chohan at the CM House and asked him to tender his resignation, Geo TV reported, quoting sources. "The Punjab Chief Minister sought an explanation from Chohan regarding his anti-Hindu remarks," the sources said.

"There were complaints against Chohan earlier as well owing to which he was sent warnings," the sources further said.

Earlier in the day, Chohan apologised for his remarks following intense criticism from senior members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's government and social media users.

"I was addressing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian armed forces and their media not the Hindu community in Pakistan," he said.

"I apologise if my remarks hurt the Hindu community in Pakistan," Chohan said. "My remarks were in no way directed at Pakistan's Hindu community."

He had come under severe criticism from senior members of his party, ministers and social media users with #SackFayazChohan trending on Twitter for his controversial remarks while addressing a gathering on February 24 in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government "will not tolerate this nonsense", party leader Naeemul Haque, who is special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, said on Monday night in response to Chohan's remarks.

"The derogatory and insulting remarks against the Hindu community by Fayyaz Chohan the Punjab Info Minister demand strict action.

PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone. Action will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister," Haque tweeted.

Haque's tweet was followed by condemnation from Shireen Mazari and Asad Umar, the federal ministers of human rights and finance, respectively. "Absolutely condemn this. No one has the right to attack anyone else's religion. Our Hindu citizens have given sacrifices for their country," Mazari tweeted.

"Our PM's msg is always of tolerance & respect & we cannot condone any form of bigotry or spread of religious hatred," she added.

Financer Minister Umar tweeted, "Hindus of Pakistan are as much a part of the fabric of the nation as I am. Remember the flag of Pakistan is not just green...its not complete without the white which represents the minorities." Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal also took to Twitter and said, "Pakistan proudly owns the white in the flag as much as the green, values contributions of the Hindu community and honours them as our own."

Several members of the Hindu community in Pakistan also took to Twitter to condemn the minister's remarks. Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan. According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country. Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their Muslim fellows.