Pakistan on Thursday refuted media reports that some Sikhs in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province were forcibly converted to Islam.
"Misinformation is being spread about an incident in Hangu," Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said, adding that some shopkeepers, including Sikhs got into a row with a local official.
The spokesperson said the official concerned was immediately suspended and a formal inquiry was ordered into the incident.
Faisal said Pakistan remained committed to the freedom of religion and protection of the rights of all minorities.
The sposkesperson said the incident is many days old. “The senior members of the local administration remain in touch with the Sikh community in Hangu, which has lived there in peace and harmony for over a century. Sikhs are proud Pakistani citizens and are represented in all walks of life,” Faisal added.
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed concern over the reported conversion and promised to take up the issue with Pakistani authorities.
