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ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of France to Pakistan was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to convey the deep concerns over the recent systematic resurgence of blasphemous republication of caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and desecration of the Holy Quran.
According to the Foreign Office, it was underscored that such illegal and Islamophobic acts hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world, including those in Pakistan. Furthermore, such actions could not be justified in the name of freedom of expression.
It was further conveyed that Pakistan strongly condemned equating Islam with terrorism, for narrow electoral and political gains. Such provocative statements and actions were fanning inter-religious hatred, hostility and confrontation thereby imperiling efforts of peace and harmony among various segments of society.
The Foreign Office was reiterated that freedom of expression should not be misused as a means to attack or hurt public sentiments or religious beliefs and fan inter-religious hatred, hostility and confrontation.
It was emphasised that such actions and statements would further divide peoples and civilizations and undermine the global aspirations for peaceful co-existence as well as social and inter-faith harmony.
The spokesperson said at a time of rising racism, intolerance and populism, there is a need to promote harmony among peoples and communities instead of reinforcing stereotypes and making people alienated.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution and condemned republication of the caricatures of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and desecration of the Holy Quran in Norway and Sweden.
The resolution moved by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned the recent blasphemous acts by mischievous elements in some parts of the world.
It expressed serious concern at the highly disturbing statements and hate-mongering, especially by leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, justifying unlawful provocation and insult to the sentiments of more than a billion Muslims through such hate-driven acts under the garb of freedom of expression.
