Pakistan passes resolution against blasphemous caricatures in France

The treasury and opposition benches forgot their political differences for a while to unanimously pass a resolution condemning the publication and promotion of blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by different quarters, especially President Emmanuel Macron, in France. 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi presented the unanimous resolution after hours of argument between the treasury and opposition benches in the National Assembly over various domestic political issues. The resolution passed by the House unanimously says, “This House condemns blasphemy committed in France and believes that such actions are meant to hurt religious sentiments of Muslims. The House demands that steps should be taken at the international level to stop blasphemous actions the world over vis-à-vis the prophets of God. The House considers the decision to draw blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a threat to the world peace.” The resolution also called upon the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to play its role in stopping such actions globally. 

Earlier, opposition benches resorted to a noisy protest when the foreign minister said the opposition kept quiet for a year as it was trying to strike a deal. After its failure, he said, the opposition started talking about democracy. He said the opposition was talking about democracy on the one hand and against the national institutions on the other. 

Qureshi said those criticising the government were responsible for pushing Pakistan to the FATF grey list and making the national institutions controversial. He said the opposition parties were toeing the line of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by raising the slogan of a free Balochistan. 

Initially, the opposition had presented its own resolution against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France. Condemning the acts of blasphemy, PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif condemned these acts on behalf of the entire opposition.  

Reacting to the argument between the treasury and the opposition, Federal Minister Asad Umar urged both sides to unite at least on the issue of blasphemous caricatures and condemn this act unanimously.