Pakistan minister quits over remarks against minority Hindus Spokesman says provincial Pakistani minister has resigned after criticizing the country's minority Hindu community

LAHORE, Pakistan -- A spokesman says a provincial Pakistani minister has resigned after criticizing the country's minority Hindu community in the wake of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over Kashmir.

Shahbaz Gill, a government spokesman, says Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, information minister in Punjab, stepped down Tuesday.

Chohan drew nationwide condemnation over a weekend speech in which he conflated Indians with Pakistan's Hindu community and made derogatory remarks against their religion.

Chohan's comments prompted the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf party to call for his resignation.