Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Islamic countries to forcefully raise their voice against the recent despicable incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden at all the forms including the United Nations so that nobody can dare commit such a crime in future.
Addressing the Joint Sitting of the Parliament in Islamabad this evening, Shehbaz Sharif said he will contact the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to convene a meeting of the world body on this matter wherein heads or representatives of all the Islamic countries be invited to express the sentiments of the Muslim Ummah.
He said this session should also pass a condemnation resolution, suggesting ways and means to curb the provocative acts of disrespecting the divine books and holy personalities.
The Prime Minister noted that the Islamophobic incidents are a conspiracy aimed at driving a wedge between Muslims and the Christians.
He also expressed his thanks to Pope Francis for condemning the incident and distancing himself from this profane act.
Shehbaz Sharif said the desecration of Holy Quran has aggrieved the entire Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah.
He urged the entire nation, including political and religious parties to collectively organize protest demonstrations and rallies across the country tomorrow to convey a message to the whole world that such Islamophobic acts are intolerable.
He said a committee of the House should also be constituted, which should furnish recommendations for prevention of such heinous acts in future.
The Prime Minister said though the Swedish Government has condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran, yet there is a question mark as to why it allowed the happening of this act.
He said the Swedish Government will have to make its policy clear on the matter. He demanded that the person involved in this act should be taken to the task.
Shehbaz Sharif said the Holy Quran, the last divine book, revealed on the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, preaches brotherhood, tolerance and harmony.
He said the holy book of Muslims contains the names of various prophets including Jesus Christ as well as Maryium. Being Muslims we respect Jesus Christ as a prophet and all the other religions.
The Prime Minister said the sanctity of the Holy Quran and Prophet [Peace Be Upon Him] is part of our faith and no compromise can be made on this.
The house is holding discussion on the situation arising out of desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz said strict punishment should be awarded to those involved in Islamophobic acts.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Dr Shehzad Wasim said the desecration of Holy Quran has hurt the sentiments of entire Muslim Ummah. He said responsibility rests with the Ummah to take appropriate measures to put an end to such horrific acts.
Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani suggested that the Foreign Office should effectively engage with the Muslim countries to firm up a joint strategy against Islomophobic acts taking place in the western world.
Communication Minister Asad Mahmood regretted it is not the first incident in Sweden. He said under the pretext of freedom of expression, such acts cannot be allowed.
The House offered fateha for the departed souls of those martyred in recent acts of terrorism and rain related incidents.
