USCIRF Commissioner Asif Mahmood Criticizes Pakistan on Religious Freedom

In a recent interview, Mahmood underscored that the commission consistently challenges Islamabad’s human rights record, particularly during high-level diplomatic visits to the United States. He noted that the USCIRF maintains a rigorous stance not only on Pakistan but also on China, pushing for both nations to be formally designated as Countries of Particular Concern due to severe religious freedom violations.

Beyond his official capacity, Mahmood stated he has personally campaigned for the protection of vulnerable groups, including Christians, Sikhs, and Ahmadiyya Muslims. He expressed frustration with the time taken by the State Department to formally adopt commission recommendations, even as incidents of religious oppression continue to draw international scrutiny. The commissioner reaffirmed his intent to keep these concerns at the forefront of bilateral dialogues whenever Pakistani officials engage with the U.S. government.