ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced that Pakistan would spearhead the International Convention on Preventing the Defamation of Religions.
The prime minister was addressing a two-day International Rahmatul-lil-Alameen (Peace Be Upon Him) Conference at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad on Tuesday.
“I have decided to make Ahmed Bilal Soofi who is well versed in international law my special envoy. He will be responsible for having this convention signed by different countries,” Prime Minister Khan said.
He added that the convention would prevent people using freedom of speech as a cover for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims around the world. “Pakistan will spearhead the signing of this convention and make using freedom of speech to commit blasphemy a crime.”
The prime minister spoke of how every few years some western countries would insult Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) which would lead to Muslims getting angry and protesting. According to the prime minister, this would only strengthen the enemies of Islam in the west and give them an opportunity for propaganda.
Prime Minister Khan highlighted how his government had been successful in raising the issue of blasphemy on international forums.
“Recently there was a blasphemy caricature issue in Holland. We spoke to the foreign minister and ambassador and for the first time, they took action against the blasphemous caricatures. We also raised this issue in the OIC and said all Muslim countries should tell the West about the love we have for Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). – Agencies
