On Tuesday, India firmly dismissed Pakistan’s criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, saying that instead of lecturing others, Pakistan should focus on improving its own ‘abysmal’ record of protecting minority rights.

The official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, called Pakistan's comments on the law "motivated and baseless," emphasising that Pakistan has no right to comment on an issue that is solely internal to India. New Delhi responded after a spokesperson from Pakistan's Foreign Office claimed that the Waqf law violates the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims. “We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India,” Jaiswal said.

“Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India,” Jaiswal said. “Pakistan would do better to look at its own abysmal record when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities, instead of preaching others,” he added. The spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Office has reportedly described the Waqf (Amendment) Act as an effort to take away properties from Muslims, including mosques and shrines.

“We strongly believe it is an infringement over the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims,” the official reportedly said on Thursday. The spokesperson from the Pakistan Foreign Office expressed serious concerns that the law could lead to the "further marginalisation" of Indian Muslims.