Islamabad: Pakistan has condemned the demolition of a centuries old mosque in Saharanpur, India, with Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan calling for accountability over what Islamabad described as an action against a historic Islamic place of worship.

The mosque, located within the Saharanpur Collectorate in Uttar Pradesh, was demolished by Indian authorities on September 5, according to reports. The action followed a court ruling that upheld an order declaring the structure illegally built on government land. An appeal filed by the mosque committee was dismissed, paving the way for the demolition under security arrangements.

Responding to media queries on Sunday, Khan said Pakistan “strongly condemns” the demolition. He described the mosque as a historic Islamic place of worship and said the action was part of what Pakistan characterised as a broader campaign to erase Islamic heritage in India.

The FO spokesperson also referred to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, saying the incident remained an enduring symbol of what Pakistan described as religious intolerance, prejudice and hatred.

Khan called on the international community to take notice of what he described as the systematic persecution of Muslims by Indian authorities and the destruction of their places of worship. He said Indian authorities should be held accountable for actions affecting religious freedoms and the cultural heritage of minorities, particularly Muslims.

According to reports, the Saharanpur demolition came after a district judge’s court upheld an earlier order concerning the mosque’s status. The mosque committee’s appeal against the order was rejected, allowing authorities to proceed with the demolition.

The issue has emerged amid continuing diplomatic exchanges between Pakistan and India over the treatment of religious minorities. The two countries have regularly raised concerns over the rights and protection of minority communities in each other’s territory.

The latest dispute follows India’s recent criticism of an incident involving Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Narowal district. Pakistan said the temple had been damaged by torrential rains in July and that authorities had surveyed the site and taken steps towards restoration.

Pakistan’s latest statement reiterated its position that religious freedoms and places of worship of minority communities should be protected.