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The United States has placed Pakistan on a special watch list "for severe violations of religious freedom", a press release by the US State Department said on Thursday.
The move comes days after US President Donald Trump said Pakistan had given the US nothing but lies and deceit, despite Washington giving it more than $33 billion in aid.
"In far too many places around the globe, people continue to be persecuted, unjustly prosecuted, or imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief," Thursday's release read. "Today, a number of governments infringe upon individuals’ ability to adapt, change, or renounce their religion or belief, worship in accordance with their religion or beliefs, or be free from coercion to practice a particular religion or belief."
The statement also re-designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as "Countries of Particular Concern" — an annual practice according to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
Being on the watch list means Pakistan is a step away from being included in the "Countries of Particular Concern" list.
The list includes "governments that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom."
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On DawnNews
Jan 04, 2018 08:46pm
When will be light at the end of tunnel?
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Jan 04, 2018 08:48pm
Whatever
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Jan 04, 2018 08:50pm
I don't think this is a fair judgment.
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Jan 04, 2018 08:50pm
We are making headlines in every aspects.
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Jan 04, 2018 09:04pm
We are placing US on a special watch list 'for being unfair'
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Jan 04, 2018 09:25pm
Very Good
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Jan 04, 2018 09:26pm
Are they ever gonna leave us alone.
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Jan 04, 2018 09:36pm
@citizen in a couple days - its a speeding traincoming towards you
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Jan 04, 2018 09:37pm
Why did it take so long?
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Jan 04, 2018 09:40pm
That’s it! After all the hue and cry!!!!!
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Jan 04, 2018 09:49pm
We need to get used to such "gestures" by the US.
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Jan 04, 2018 09:55pm
@Tanweer this is just the beginning. More follow up action coming soon
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Jan 04, 2018 09:56pm
It is America under the Trump Adminstration who should be put under surveillance due to their disappointing decisions of stopping Muslims from travelling to America.
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Jan 04, 2018 09:57pm
I am a proud Pakistani and glad that this issue is being raised. Our society needs to be tolerant towards people with different religious views than ours. That’s not the case in Pakistan today. Everyone of us need to do our part in Pakistan becoming a more tolerant society. Be
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Jan 04, 2018 10:02pm
This is Donald Trump's era. There is no surprise in any surprise.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:03pm
US can do whatever it wants. But Pakistan government needs to wake up and smell the coffee now. Invest in the people and allow religious freedom so that US only looks foolish with this designation. we brought it upon ourselves.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:15pm
Will the U.S. State Dept include the U.S. government on this list for engaging in systematic, ongoing and egregious violations against Muslims in Trump's travel ban?
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Jan 04, 2018 10:15pm
We will have to pay for our misdeeds in the past. Truth is some of these things did happen.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:28pm
The end of The Tunnel Will Never See light.
There is a total eclipse.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:38pm
Pakistan should immediately seize it's relations with US instead of getting insults every other day. Relations can be reviewed once US Regime is changed.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:44pm
So what US is going to do about all these countries.
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Jan 04, 2018 10:58pm
@Khalid Khan, USA (Originally From OCCUPIED KARACHI) occupied by who? Karachi is one of the most diverse communties in Pakistan. Haven't you learnt anything about diversity if indeed you are in the USA.
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Jan 04, 2018 11:03pm
Looks like the deportation of pakistanis is the next step.
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Jan 04, 2018 11:27pm
Who cares what list is used, there is no credibility in this.
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Jan 05, 2018 12:07am
One more step forward?
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Jan 05, 2018 12:25am
Pakistan places US on a special watch list for severe racial abuse against African Americans. US is one step away from being included in the countries with particular concern.
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Jan 05, 2018 12:30am
@Wellwisher , every negative aspect.
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Jan 05, 2018 12:56am
I dont think with current environment in US, they can be the judge of religious freedom.
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Jan 05, 2018 01:02am
Good
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Jan 05, 2018 01:19am
Well done America!
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Jan 05, 2018 01:24am
@Tanweer -- More to come, soon!
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Jan 05, 2018 01:45am
@shubs : Good question !
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Jan 05, 2018 02:00am
This is just a trailer. The movie is yet to begin.
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Jan 05, 2018 02:00am
There is probably a lot more coming ! Buckle up.
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Jan 05, 2018 02:27am
I am sure no one cares about that list. USA can keep on developing a list of these funny lists!
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Jan 05, 2018 03:04am
@Tanweer - That’s it! After all the hue and cry!!!!!
Why do you think that is it?
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Jan 05, 2018 03:48am
@Khalid Khan USA. No force on this earth can undo Pakistan! Thank you to Dr Abdus Salam.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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Jan 05, 2018 03:49am
Can Pakistan ever change, even if it is in the interest of its own people?
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Jan 05, 2018 04:29am
This is very old news, the latest news is US has suspended all financial aid to Pakistan. No more $$$
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Jan 05, 2018 04:36am
Okey, time to end all war related cooperation. No more!!
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Jan 05, 2018 05:46am
@Mashm It does not matter what you think of yourself, what matters is what others think of you.
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Jan 05, 2018 05:55am
Pakistan needs to charge for its three airfield on the basis of each landing and takeoff. we also need to charge the proper toll tax for NATO convoys.
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Jan 05, 2018 06:13am
This is just the begining..many more lists to come!
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Jan 05, 2018 06:15am
and who ended getting those 33 billion is a billion dollar question. Only if that money has been spent wisely the entire country would have flourished and every citizen would have reaped the benefits.
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Jan 05, 2018 07:08am
Aut to have been included long back.
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Jan 05, 2018 07:22am
Poor people of this country will become poorest and desperate ,nothing else will change. Elite of this country already have their families settled in Dubai, Europe , Canada or in Trump's country USA. But ironically that is how superpowers treat third world countries , target poor citizens and shelter elites.
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Jan 05, 2018 07:26am
@citizen They are digging a hole right now so you will have to wait a millennia or two for any light from this bunch. Remember these are the same guys who went into Vietnam after the French had lost and left in a hurry and have gone into Afghanistan after the Brits and the Soviets had a nightmarish experience there.
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Jan 06, 2018 03:55am
Pakistan made a strategic mistake fighting other peoples wars.
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Jan 06, 2018 01:02pm
Good to be on the watch list. Opportunity to improve ourselves. Fair thing. Don't know why it took so long. Freedom should be available for everyone and just not a protected property of majorities.
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Jan 06, 2018 04:03pm
Let them do these things to pakistan, so that pakistani administrative might know that america is not a friend and will never br loyal to pakistan..
So pakistan should kill their demands and keep doing her own bussiness.
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Jan 07, 2018 05:40am
This is indeed a bad time for Pakistan. time for our nation to come together, introspect and reform.
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