New Delhi, Jul 3 (UNI) The Indian government has from time to time recommended to Pakistan to take steps for preventing 'conversions and marriages of minorities' including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women and stop targeting political dissidents in Balochistan, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"India has recommended to Pakistan, inter alia, to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all cases; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,"

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in Lok Sabha in a written reply.

"India has on several occasions highlighted the human rights violations in Pakistan, including at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. It has recommended to Pakistan, inter alia, to end forced conversions and marriages of minorities, including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all cases; to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killings," he said.

The Minister further said steps ought to be taken by Pakistan to ensure security of journalists and activists.

"Based on reports of atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, the government has, from time to time, taken up the matter with the Pakistani government and asked it to take steps to protect and to promote the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities," he said in reply to a query from BJP MP

Subhash Chandra Baheria from Rajasthan.

"India has on several occasions highlighted the human rights violations in Pakistan, including at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva," the Minister said.

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