PM vows to lead strong int’l campaign against blasphemy, says some religious, political parties ‘misusing’ Islam

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced to lead a strong campaign at international level along with the heads of Muslim countries to jointly fight blasphemy of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).

On issue of blasphemy, he said, some political and religious parties in the country were “misusing” Islam to play with the sentiments of common man and were inciting violence.

“The protests and violence will do no harm to the West, but inflict a severe damage to your own people,” the prime minister said in his address at the groundbreaking of Margalla Highway, a project to be connected with Rawalpindi Ring Road.

The prime minister’s statement came as the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan held protests demanding expulsion of French ambassador in the wake of incidents of blasphemy that took place in France. Lately, some other political parties also joined the demand by extending support to TLP.

Imran Khan said all people in the country had deep love for the Prophet (PBUH), adding that “such devotion must not be misused”.

Pakistan, he said, was formed in the name of Islam and stressed that no one should cast doubt about any other person as how much deeply he respected the Prophet (PBUH).

He said his campaign against blasphemy against Prophet would have a strong impact compared to the protests.

The prime minister said he had sent letters to the world leaders for the purpose.

“I want this issue to be resolved once and for ever so that nobody in the world could ever dare to commit blasphemy against our beloved Prophet (PBUH),” he said.