ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday sending back French envoy does not guarantee an end to Islamophobia in the Western world but he says such move will spark more blasphemy acts under the guise of freedom of speech.
Addressing the nation on ongoing protests by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), he stressed that heads of Muslim states need to be join hands to present a strong case in the West in order to permanently stop the blasphemy activities.
TLP and government have same purpose but different approach
The premier said the objective of the government and the banned TLP to uphold sanctity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the same; however, there is a difference in approach.
He said expulsion of the French Ambassador, as demanded by the TLP, will not cause any damage to France, but rather put negative impact on Pakistan in many ways, particularly economy.
“We need to be united at this point when the country is on the road of development with increase in exports, large scale manufacturing and job opportunities, stability in rupee value and wealth creation,” he asserted.
He said that the government and the TLP had been holding talks for over two months to resolve this issue, adding that the talks were halted when they announced to march on Islamabad.
He said that the violence activities by the TLP claimed life of four policemen, besides leaving more than 800 injured.
The premier said eight police vans were torched and private property worth millions of rupees was ransacked.
PM emphasizes collective efforts
Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the heads of states to collectively carry out an effective campaign against Islamophobia to get the West understood that it hurts 1.25 billion Muslims.
Addressing the nation on television and radio today (Monday), he said a
Urging heads of Muslim states, he said that collective strategy by Muslim Ummah will have an effect on the West to prevent the incidents of blasphemy against the Prophet permanently.
When fifty Muslim countries declare that they would boycott trade with the West if any incident of blasphemy happens, it would have an impact, he said.
Imran Khan assured the national that he himself will lead the campaign and will not disappoint the public and Muslims of the world.
He expressed the confidence that Muslim will succeed in their mission to convince the Western world that any disrespect to holy Prophet in the name of freedom of expression hurts Muslims.
Imran Khan said he has been raising voice against Islamophobia at international forums including the OIC, the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Commission and the UN human rights organizations.
