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PM says Quran’s desecration an attempt to beget Muslim-Christian hostility; warns against recurrence
ISLAMABAD, July 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the desecration of Holy Quran was an attempt to create animosity between the Muslims and Christians and any recurrence of such condemnable act would in no way be tolerated.
The prime minister, in his address to the joint sitting of the parliament, urged the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to convene a special session to invite the Muslim world leaders, adopt a condemnatory resolution and also warn the Swedish government and such individuals against the recurrence of such condemnable act.
The prime minister urged the National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to form a committee with a mandate to formulate recommendations for their onward dissemination to the world including international organisations so that such acts could be prevented.
He said as per their belief, Muslims revered all of the religions and revealed books including Bible as Holy Quran taught patience and harmony.
He said despite that, such deliberate Islamophobic acts were being carried out to pit Muslims against Christians.
He said that despite their belated condemnation, the Swedish government would have to clarify its position as to why they allowed such an act under the protection of their police on the day when the Muslims were celebrating Eid-ul-Azha.
The prime minister urged the parliamentarians to condemn the act of Swedish police and make it clear that the Muslims could even sacrifice their lives to protect the sanctity of the Quran.
He said the peaceful protests should not be construed as weakness and that no one should complain about the consequences if such condemnable actions were repeated.
He said as the country would observe the Sanctity of Holy Quran Day on Friday, the whole nation should stage rallies across the country to condemn the desecration of Quran and convey their sentiments to the world.
Calling for using all political and legal options to avert recurrence of such acts, the prime minister also
thanked the OIC for convening a special meeting in which they also adopted a condemnatory resolution and put forward suggestions.
He said Pakistan was not against the freedom of speech but no one had the right to desecrate any one’s belief or fan hatred in this garb.
Prime Minister Shehbaz urged the House to put forward suggestions which would be raised at the UN platform to tell the world that the billions of Muslims will not allow such hateful acts to be repeated.
“This is beyond tolerance. This is not the first time as earlier too, same thing happened in Sweden. This must be condemned in the strongest possible words,” he remarked.
The prime minister recalled and appreciated the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her support to the Muslims, after an Islamophobic attack against Muslims, which was a positive attempt to establish peace between Muslims and Christians.
He told the House that he was trying to contact with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to request him for convening an urgent session to invite the Muslim leaders and adopt a condemnatory resolution. I will also ask him to warn such governments and individuals against redoing such acts aimed at fanning hatred, he added.
The prime minister thanked Pope Francis for condemning the act saying his dissociation of such Islamophobic action gave a positive image.
The prime minister said he would convey the parliamentary resolution to the Swedish government as the Foreign Office was also making its due efforts on the diplomatic fronts.
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Christian community condemns ‘Islamophobic’ Quran burning
QUETTA, Jul 06 (APP): The Christian community in Balochistan Thursday condemned the desecration of Quran terming it worst ‘Islamophobic’ act that displeased billions of Muslims across the globe.
“Desecration of Holy Quran is an unforgivable and heinous crime, Sweden must apologise to the Muslims for the incident,” said Bishop Khalid Rehmat while addressing a press conference here.
Pastor Simon Bashir, Father Inayat Gill accompanied the bishop.
The bishop said that the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden was unacceptable and blasphemous act in the name of freedom of expression.
Playing with the sentiment of any religion and belief on the name of freedom of expression was a great offence, he added.
He said that the entire Christian community was saddened over the incident.
No religion allowed the desecration of holy books of other religions, he added.
“Those who desecrate the Holy Quran do not deserve any leniency and must be taken to task,” he said adding that the religious leader of the Christians, the Pope, had also openly condemned this incident.
The forces with a negative mentality were trying to spoil the peace of the world through such incidents, he added.
Incidents of insulting not only the Holy Quran but also other religions were happening in other secular countries, including Sweden, he pointed out.
He said that if Swedish people by allowing such anti-peace elements showed that they were uncivilized.
In response to a question, Bishop Khalid Rehmat urged the United Nations, the European Union and the world to play their role in punishing the accused.
He demanded for enacting the international laws to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ahmad Jawad felicitates Zaka Ashraf on assuming charge as PCB MC Chairman
ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Vice President of Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) Chaudhry Ahmad Jawad on Thursday felicitated Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf on taking charge as Chairman of the newly-formed Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Jawad, in a statement, said Zaka Ashraf had a vast experience in management, especially in running the PCB’s affairs earlier as its chief. He expressed the hope that Zaka would help develop a strong Pakistan cricket squad as well as assist the government to once again resume the flavour of cricket diplomacy at the level of International Cricket Council (ICC).
He said the formation of new PCB Management Committee was a timely decision as any further delay would have hampered the working of the Board at a crucial time when Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 were about to take place.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting before the groundbreaking ceremony of mega development projects for Torghar and Buner districts
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting before the groundbreaking ceremony of mega development projects for Torghar and Buner districts
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting before the groundbreaking ceremony of mega development projects for Torghar and Buner districts
