ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday expressed concern 鈥渙ver reports of the growing number of deaths and forced displacement of Rohingya,鈥� urging Myanmar to protect 鈥渢he rights of Muslim minorities.鈥�
Such reports, 鈥渋f confirmed, are a source of serious concern and anguish鈥� on the eve of Eid Al-Adha, said Pakistan鈥檚 Foreign Ministry.
Islamabad urged Myanmar to investigate reports of massacres and prosecute the perpetrators. Pakistan pledged to 鈥渨ork with the international community, in particular the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation),鈥� to safeguard Rohingya rights.
The world鈥檚 youngest Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, questioned the Myanmar state counsellor鈥檚 silence, tweeting: 鈥淥ver the last several years, I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment. I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.鈥�
The secretary-general of the World Muslim Congress, Raja Zafar ul Haq, told Arab News: 鈥淲e were of the view that after being released from long periods of house arrest and placed in the highest government position, Suu Kyi would help the Rohingya and ease their miseries. I鈥檓 disappointed that she didn鈥檛 take any action, just to appease Myanmar voters to safeguard her political position.鈥�
Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan criticized Suu Kyi鈥檚 鈥渟hameful acceptance鈥� of 鈥済enocide鈥� against the Rohingya. Khan also lambasted the Muslim world for 鈥渋gnoring (their) plight.鈥�
Haq said opening Pakistan鈥檚 doors to the Rohingya will be met with stiff domestic resistance as the country already hosts millions of Afghan refugees.
鈥淲e鈥檝e already catered to refugees (in the past), including some from Bangladesh and Myanmar,鈥� he said.
鈥淎llowing more at this point will have a grave effect on the massive population and a negative reaction from people.鈥�