Islamabad wants Delhi to take decisive action

After Qatar, Iran, Kuwait and other Muslim countries, Pakistan on Monday joined the fray by summoning Indian envoy over the recent derogatory remarks made by two ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members that disrespected the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

A day earlier, President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leaders condemned in the strongest possible term the blasphemous remarks. Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Charge d’ Affaires and conveyed the government of Pakistan’s categorical rejection and strong condemnation of the highly derogatory remarks made by the two senior BJP officials about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was told that these remarks were totally unacceptable and had not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan but also of Muslims across the world.

The Indian diplomat was further told that Pakistan deplored the belated and perfunctory disciplinary actions taken by the BJP government against the said officials, which could not assuage the pain caused to the Muslims.

An official handout said Pakistan was deeply concerned at the alarming rise in communal violence and hatred against the Muslims in India. Muslims are being systematically stigmatised, marginalised and subjected to a well-orchestrated onslaught from radical Hindu mobs with full connivance and support of the security apparatus across various states in India.

Read BJP receives flak from Muslim countries over Islamophobic remarks

“The growing mainstreaming of the reprehensible anti-Muslim sentiment and the increasing attempts at depriving the Muslims of their centuries-old places of worship citing frivolous historical claims are nothing but the obvious outcomes of the deep-seated Islamophobia in the Indian society,” according to the statement.

Pakistan strongly urged the BJP leadership and the government of India to unequivocally condemn the sacrilegious comments of the BJP officials and ensure that they were held accountable through decisive and demonstrable action against them for attacking the dignity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

“The government of India is also reminded of its obligations under the international law to take immediate steps to protect its minorities from human rights violations, ensure their safety, security and well-being and allow them to profess and practice their faiths in peace.”

Pakistan called upon the international community, including the United Nations and OIC, especially their human rights machinery, to take cognisance of and stop the dangerously rising “Hindutva”-inspired Islamophobia in India, and prevail upon the Indian authorities to prevent the systematic human rights violations against minorities in the country.

The controversy has strained India’s relationship with the Gulf countries, which are outraged by the insulting remarks. Some of the Arab countries have called for a boycott of Indian products. India is struggling to control the damage and countries like Qatar are seeking public apology over the incident.

Further, the Senate has unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning blasphemous remarks of the BJP leaders against Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The resolution, tabled by Senator Saleem Mandviwala in the Upper House, expressed strong condemnation of the highly derogatory and sacrilegious remarks made by two senior leaders of India's ruling BJP against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

"These derogatory remarks reflect the fascist face of Indian government, which deeply hurts the sentiments of the people of Pakistan, Muslims and respectful people across the world.

“The Senate of Pakistan is deeply concerned at the rising communal violence and hatred against Muslims in India. Muslims are being systematically stigmatised, marginalised and subjected to a well-orchestrated state sponsored physical, economic, social and religious assault from radical mentality in India," it added.
The Senate expressed its strong commitment towards defending the dignity (Namoos) of the Last Prophet (PBUH) at national, regional and international fora.

The house also reaffirmed its resolution passed on May 30, 2022 against spreading Islamophobia in Sweden and across the world.

It unanimously demanded of the government to take the following actions: i) Summon an emergency OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) conference for recording strong condemnation and protest against the state-sponsored anti-Islam and sacrilegious acts in India and call upon all Muslim states to carry out diplomatic, economic and political boycott of India; ii) Record strong condemnation and protest at United Nations against the spreading Islamophobia, anti-Muslim, anti-Islamic and fascist state sponsored policies in India and other states; iii) Mobilise all sources of internal and external publicity for protection of Namoos-e-Risalat (PBUH) in Pakistan and across the world; and iv) Carry out immediate trade boycott of India by banning all Indian products in Pakistani market.

The Senate chairman also announced that the upper house lawmakers would register a protest in front of the Indian Embassy against the blasphemous remarks by the BJP leaders after Friday prayers. To a suggestion of Senator Maulana Ataur Rehman, Sanjrani announced protest.

Similarly, the National Assembly also passed a resolution condemning the BJP leaders’ blasphemous remarks.

The resolution was tabled by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The lower house passed the Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority Establishment Bill, 2021 along with two other bills.

The Rehmatullil Aalameen Authority Ordinance, 2021, was presented in the form of a bill with the report of the standing committee. The incumbent government made nine amendments to it, seeking the inclusion of the term ‘Khatamun Nabiyyin’ in the name of the bill.

As per the bill, the authority whose patron would be the prime minister would now comprise nine members, including the chairperson.

The amendments also called for making it mandatory to mention the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) while reciting Salawat after his blessed family is mentioned.

According to the bill, the authority would work towards the promotion of Seeratun Nabi (PBUH), and if there is a policy issue, the decision of the prime minister would be final.

The lower house also announced a protest march to the Indian High Commission on Friday against the blasphemous remarks of the BJP leaders.