By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the United Nations (UN) to take notice and action against the hate-based narrative against Islam. In a statement on Monday, he said there is resentment in the world over the blasphemous caricatures. He said the irresponsible statement of the French President Macron has added fuel to the fire. He said nobody has the right to hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims under the garb of freedom of expression. FM Qureshi said the seeds of hate that are being cultivated today will polarize the society and have serious consequences.Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the French Ambassador to Pakistan has been summoned to the foreign office to register a protest.
On the instructions of the Prime Minister, Qureshi said a comprehensive resolution will be presented at the next meeting of the OIC foreign ministers, proposing to observe 15th March as the international day against Islamophobia.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday criticised opposition parties for peddling Indian narrative under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, the foreign minister slammed PDM, an alliance of political opposition parties for targeting armed forces and other national institutions.
“Pakistan Democratic Movement is damaging Pakistan by making national institutions controversial. They [opposition parties] should be ashamed of themselves for peddling Indian narrative regarding Balochistan in yesterday’s Quetta rally,” said Qureshi. He further said the present government will not come under any pressure of opposition.
“If you are thinking that govt will come under any pressure by your three power shows then you must correct yourself as we [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] also knows how to hold rallies.”Shah Mehmood Qureshi presented a resolution condemning the latest attempt of republication of the caricatures of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad [Peace Be Upon Him] political. He also criticised opposition lawmakers for politicizing the religious issue.
Earlier, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning latest attempt of republication of the caricatures of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad [Peace Be Upon Him] in France. The resolution, moved by leader of the House Dr Shahzad Waseem, said that such condemnable acts supported by the French government further accentuate discord, alienation and divide between the followers of different faiths. It reaffirmed that the love for our beloved Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] is beyond any doubt and it is part of our faith and no Muslim can tolerate such horrendous acts.
