India summoned Pakistan's top diplomat on Thursday after a Hindu temple was vandalised in Pakistan's Punjab province. Expressing concern over the atrocities against minorities in Pakistan, India lodged a firm protest over the "reprehensible incident".
The move came after reports said that a mob vandalised a Ganesh temple in Rahim Yar Khan district in Pakistan's Punjab province.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi noted that attacks on the religious freedom of the minority community and their places of worship are occurring at an alarming rate in Pakistan while the state and security institutions have "stood by idly and completely failed in preventing these attacks." Pakistan was called upon to ensure the safety, security and well-being of minority communities, he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet said he strongly condemns the attack on Ganesh Mandir in Bhung and has called for action against the culprits.