-FM apprises UNGA President on the derogatory remarks by BJP officials
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) has strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made by two officials of India’s ruling party BJP against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), demanding the Indian government hold them accountable.
Addressing a weekly press conference Friday, FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed pointed out that India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was involved in atrocities against minorities, especially Muslims.
He noted that Pakistan had summoned Indian Charge d’ Affaires and conveyed its strong protest and condemnation of the highly derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The FO spokesperson further said that the Foreign Secretary had briefed OIC and P-5 envoys about the Indian atrocities on minorities. “Indian state machinery was being used against Muslims in the country,” he added.
Asim Iftikhar stressed that the BJP top leadership should unequivocally condemn the sacrilegious comments of the officials and ensure that they are held accountable.
He noted that India was continuing its campaign against Muslims and other minorities while Pakistan was promoting religious harmony and tolerance. “Pakistan has issued visas to more than 600 Sikh pilgrims,” he added. The spokesperson also said that Pakistan has its own position on India’s membership of the Security Council and Nuclear Suppliers Group. Referring to the United States report on religious freedom in the world, the FO spokesperson said that the US report has double standards. “The report ignores the ground realities and positive steps, we are committed to respecting human rights,” he added. Later in the day, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a telephone call, apprised the President of UN General Assembly (PGA), H.E. Abdulla Shahid, of the derogatory and offensive remarks made by two senior officials of India’s ruling party BJP, against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Noting that such wilful and deliberate provocation had deeply hurt the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world, the Foreign Minister urged the PGA to take cognizance of this abhorrent development amidst growing hate speech and rising Islamophobia in India.
Referring to the muted response of the Indian leadership on the incident, the Foreign Minister noted that silence could be taken as complicity, and could lead to further incitement to violence, communal discord and hate incidents.
Noting the UN’s positions on hate speech and Islamophobia, the Foreign Minister expected that the forum of the United Nations would be utilized for constructive debate among member states, also with a view to redressing this issue that has caused such pain and resentment among the Muslims. The PGA underscored the important role of the General Assembly and the need for the membership to work together on these issues. The Foreign Minister and the PGA agreed to remain engaged.
