Pakistan is observing the Day of Quran Sanctity to vehemently condemn the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged the entire nation to join in protests after Friday prayers.
In a remarkable display of unity, both the government and the opposition have come together for a joint session of parliament. During the session, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the desecration of the Quran.
He made it clear that if similar incidents occur in the future, those responsible should not expect leniency.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted that the incident in Sweden seems to be an intentional effort to stir tension between Muslims and Christians. He called on the international community to acknowledge that such actions are unacceptable in any situation.
Shahbaz Sharif cited Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, as a positive example. He praised her compassionate and supportive approach towards Muslims and expressed that Muslims will always remember her actions.
The Prime Minister intends to contact the Secretary-General of the United Nations, urging an immediate meeting to address the issue on a global scale. He emphasized that patience and tolerance should not mistaken for inaction.
Shahzad Waseem, the opposition leader in the Senate, raised concerns about the lack of laws protecting Muslims’ religious sentiments. He mentioned the presence of legislation against Holocaust denial as a comparison.
In the joint session of parliament, a resolution condemning the incident in Sweden unanimously passed. The resolution, presented by Murtaza Javed Abbasi, the federal minister for parliamentary affairs, called for legal action against the individual responsible for the desecration. It also sought assurances to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The resolution stressed the importance of treating events rooted in Islamophobia with the same seriousness as incidents targeting other religions. Parliament reiterated its condemnation of disrespect towards sacred symbols, books, and personalities while expressing support for effective policies against Islamophobia.