Washington, D.C., June 19, 2025 —In a blunt rebuke during a press conference on U.S. policy in the Middle East, former President Donald Trump sharply criticized Pakistan’s treatment of its Shia population and accused the country of hypocrisy in its international posturing.“Betraying Shias abroad and butchering them at home — this isn’t hypocrisy, it’s heritage,” Trump said when asked about Pakistan’s role in the Iran-Israel conflict and its historical opposition to normalizing ties with Israel.The former president, who is running for re-election and increasingly vocal on foreign policy matters, also dismissed Pakistan’s long-standing anti-Israel stance as disingenuous. “Pakistan isn’t bad with Israel because of principles. It’s just part of their game. Their history shows where they really stand — and it’s not with peace, not with the Shia, and definitely not with democracy.”Trump’s remarks come amid growing concerns about sectarian violence in Pakistan, where Shia communities have repeatedly faced deadly attacks, and human rights groups have accused authorities of failing to ensure minority protection. The statements are likely to further strain U.S.-Pakistan relations, already tense over Islamabad’s ambiguous role in Middle Eastern conflicts.Shia activists and watchdog organizations have long accused Pakistan of systemic discrimination and complicity in extremist violence targeting their communities. Trump’s comments mark one of the strongest denunciations from a senior American figure on Pakistan’s internal religious dynamics.The Pakistani government has yet to respond to the former president’s comments.
