ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday received a call European Parliament President Antonio Tajani during which he stressed the need for respecting religious sentiments and called for enhanced dialogue as well as cooperation for promoting inter-cultural and inter-faith harmony.
Tajani thanked the prime minister for ensuring the safety and security of Aasia Bibi and her family. He assured EU Parliament’s cooperation with the Pakistani government while conveying that the debate on Aasia Bibi in the EU Parliament had been postponed, a press release issued by the PM Media Office said.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to respect the judgment of the Supreme Court (SC), adding that as citizens of Pakistan, Aasia Bibi and her family were entitled to all rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.
He also conveyed serious concerns of the government and people of Pakistan on the issue of blasphemous cartoons and caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), underscoring the need to redouble efforts in European countries to avoid such provocative incidents; raise greater awareness about religious sensitivities of Muslims, particularly the respect of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and promotion of inter-faith harmony.
The prime minister welcomed the European Court of Human Right’s recent decision not to allow acts of blasphemy under the cloak of the right to freedom of expression.
He also expressed the hope that European countries would follow the decision of the European Court and take steps to enhance respect for each other’s religions and inter-faith harmony.
