The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday referred another petition, seeking to cut ties with France over French President Emmanuel Macron’s Islamophobic remarks and republication of blasphemous caricatures, to the federal cabinet for appropriate action. A single bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani called for the case to be sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan for placing it before his cabinet for necessary action. It ruled that the cabinet should take steps in light of Parliament’s instructions.
Justice Kayani recalled Parliament passed resolutions condemning republication of blasphemous sketches of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Prime Minister Khan also wrote to the heads of the Muslims states the other day.
The court ruled that severing ties with France and banning French products is a policy matter and therefore suggested that the premier and Parliament should play their role in this regard. The petitioner’s lawyer complained to the court that the government was not tackling the issue as per the people’s sentiments.
Earlier on Wednesday, disposing of a petition seeking severing of Pakistan’s relations with France over publication of blasphemous sketches, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) referred the matter to the federal cabinet for a final decision.
A petition calling for Pakistan to break off diplomatic relations with France was heard in the IHC wherein Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani maintained that the federal cabinet should take a decision keeping the public sentiments in view.
Counsel for the petitioner, Martyr’s Foundation, Tariq al Assad appeared before the court and argued that several Muslim countries, including Turkey and Qatar, have protested against the publication of the blasphemous sketches in France. “The worst thing is that French President Emmanuel Macron asked for the sketches to be displayed on two buildings,” he added.
Justice Kiyani remarked that the Pakistan government has condemned the act, the French ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office and a resolution has been passed by the National Assembly.
The court dismissed the case by referring the matter to the federal cabinet.—TLTP
