Blasphemy is not tolerated under any circumstances, says PM
ISLAMABAD (92 News) - While expressing regret over the violent protests by the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the blasphemy is not tolerated under any circumstances.
While addressing the nation to take them into confidence over the decisions taken on the prevailing law and order situation in the country, the prime minister said that last week, a group felt that it loved the Prophet (PBUH) more than others. “We are like them, we do not want any country to blaspheme against Prophet (PBUH),” he said. “Our methods are different. We are trying that this should never happen.” He said that the TLP and our goal is same but achieving method is different.
The prime minister assured the nation that he will personally lead the campaign against such blasphemous acts and will gather heads of all Muslim states for the cause. "We will launch a joint campaign with Muslim countries on the issue for sanctity of holy Prophet (PBUH). He also expressed optimism that they will achieve success in convincing the western countries on this matter.
Expelling ambassador of France is not solution
Commenting on the calls to expel the French ambassador and subsequent violence in the country, the premier said, “Our country was formed for Islam. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) is in their hearts. And so whenever in the world whenever anyone insults his personhood. It pains us. It pains Muslims across the world.”
He stressed that the government is on the same page with the TLP regarding the protection of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s honour, however, expelling the ambassador of France is not the solution.
"The West has made this an issue of freedom of speech and if we send back the French ambassador, some other European country will follow suit," he said.
Imran Khan said that if Pakistan starts sending back ambassadors of different countries, the economy will suffer, but it would not make a difference to France or any other country.
Vandalising property will not reap any benefits
Talking about the violent countrywide protests that took place over the last few days, PM Khan said that vandalising property will not reap any benefits.
He then talked about the government's strategy to deal with Islamophobia. He detailed how he had been raising the issue on different international forums, including the United Nations, and also wrote to Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding the matter.
The prime minsityer said that the government believes in approaching the heads of all Muslim nations so that a collective strategy could be formulated to deal with Islamophobia.
Citing the example of how European nations came together to strengthen laws regarding Holocaust denial, he said that Muslim nations, too, should work collectively to eliminate Islamophobia which is being practised in the West in the name of freedom of speech.
The Prime Minister also appealed to the religious scholars of Pakistan and said that violent protests and clashes with the police will only hurt the country and provide fodder to Indian websites and other enemies of the state to capitalise on the situation. "We all must unite and thank Allah for his mercy," the PM said.
