Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. PHOTO: Reuters
In a first, PML-N leader and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, on Thursday, condemned hate speech by PML-N MNA Captain Safdar against minorities in the National Assembly (NA).
A day after Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar pressed for a ban on hiring Ahmadis in the armed forces and other important institutions of the country, the interior minister termed the tirade ‘tragic’.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is on a visit to the US, took to Twitter to condemn the PML-N legislators statements saying it is tragic to see hate speech against minorities in the National Assembly.
PML-N's Capt Safdar seeks ban on hiring Ahmadis in military and judiciary
“We believe in inclusive Pakistan. Pakistan respects all minorities,” the interior minister added.
It is tragic to see hate speech against minorities in National Assembly. We believe in inclusive Pakistan. Pakistan respects all minorities.
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) October 11, 2017
Safdar came under fire after he launched an attack on the Ahmadiyya community in the NA session.
He also demanded the withdrawal of a decision to name a department of the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) after Nobel laureate Pakistani scientist Dr Abdul Salam, who belonged to the Ahmadiyya community.
Social media erupts over Capt Safdar's speech against Ahmadis
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned Safdar’s statement.
“The bigotry, hatred & extremism on display in the National Assembly yesterday goes to show Nawaz league has been mainstreaming terror well before MML. No place for this mindset in our society,” the PPP chairman said in a tweet.
The bigotry, hatred & extremism on display in the National Assembly yesterday goes to show Nawaz league has been mainstreaming terror well before MML. No place for this mindset in our society.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 11, 2017
In a welcome measure, Iqbal is the first PML-N leader to have come out and condemn a statement made by his own party member.
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