"The secretary also placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said. The Special Watch List is for countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom but may not rise to the level of the CPC. The Special Watch List designation is being seen as a step below designating it as Country of Particular Concern, which would have automatically kicked in economic and political sanctions. A former member of Pakistani Parliament Farahnaz Ispahani, welcomed the State Departments decision to place her country on a Special Watch List. "Today, the Special Watch List designation status given to Pakistan by the US Secretary of State to Pakistan may help Pakistans religious minorities.

Source: India Today January 04, 2018 18:33 UTC