WASHINGTON, (DNA) – The United States said on Tuesday it has added Pakistan to its blacklist of countries engaged in ”systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom”.

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, in a press statement, said: “I designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated ”systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

The secretary a year earlier had put Pakistan on a special watch list — a step before the designation.

The move, which aims at improving the lives of individuals and the broader success of their societies, was approved by Pompeo on November 28, the statement added.

The placement of Pakistan on the list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ comes days after Pakistan ensured justice to a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, despite pressure from the various segments of the society.

The US official further added that in far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their beliefs. The US will not stand by as spectators in the face of such oppression.

Protecting and promoting international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority of the Trump Administration, he said.

“In July, I [Pompeo] hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, which brought together some 85 likeminded governments and more than 400 civil society organizations to harness global attention and motivate forceful action to advance respect for the human right of religious freedom”.

Safeguarding religious freedom is vital to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity, Pompeo added.

The secretary also placed Comoros, Russia, and Uzbekistan on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.”

“Finally, I designated al-Nusra Front, al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qa’ida, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern,” read the statement.

He also recognized that several designated countries are working to improve their respect for religious freedom, adding, “I welcome such initiatives and look forward to continuing the dialogue”.

Washington remains committed to working with governments, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to advance religious freedom around the world, he concluded.