As a fresh development amid the political turmoil over the recent passing of the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for its criticism asserting that the neighbouring nation has no locus standi to comment on India's internal matters.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should focus on its own dismal track record on minority rights instead of “preaching to others.”
“We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India”, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in his official response to Pakistan,
“Pakistan would do better to look at its own abysmal record when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities, instead of preaching to others,” Jaiswal added.
MEA's retaliation on Tuesday came days after Pakistan라이브 바카라 Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the changes in India라이브 바카라 Waqf laws, alleging that the legislation was an infringement on the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims.
“The passage of this discriminatory legislation is also reflective of the growing majoritarianism in India. There are serious apprehensions that it will contribute to further marginalisation of Indian Muslims,” Khan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
About Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Waqf bill was first passed by the Lok Sabha after a 13-hour-long debate with 288 votes in favour and 232 against.
The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is to redress the issues and challenges concerning regulation and managing of the Waqf properties.
Defending the amendment move, the ministry of minority affairs said that the main purpose of the bill is to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
Centre earlier said that the bill seeks bring improvement in the overall administration process of the Waqf properties by means of technology-driven management to ensure transparency.
The 2025 amendment bill aims to change the name of the Waqf Act, 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995.
According to the bill, trusts created by Muslims under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over the trusts.
As per the amended bill, only Muslims, who are practising the religion for at least five years, only can dedicate their property to Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
The bill also included a key change concerning the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in institutions such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals.
Under this bill, the Centre will have the power to appoint three MPs - two from the Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha, without them requiring to be Muslims.
