'Baseless & motivated': India snubs Pakistan's remark on new Waqf law

NEW DELHI: The Indian government on Tuesday rejected Pakistani despensation's remark on new Waqf law as "baseleass and motivated".

The ministry of external affairs said Islamabad had "no locus standi to comment on a matter" and that the Pakistani government should look into its own abysmal record.

"We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India. Pakistan would do better to look at its own abysmal record when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities, instead of preaching to others," said external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Earlier, the Pakistani government had called the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Indian Lok Sabha an act to "dispossess Muslims from their properties, including mosques and shrines and marginalise the minorities".

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995, to address challenges in the regulation and oversight of Waqf properties.

• The proposed amendments focus on enhancing the administration and ensuring more effective management of Waqf assets across India.
• Overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act
• Updating the definitions of Waqf Improving the registration process
• Increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records

Alongside this legislation, Parliament also approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which repeals the century-old Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, aiming to eliminate outdated provisions.