Prime Minister demands action against filmmakers | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Prime Minister demands action against filmmakers

LAHORE: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday called for strict action against those responsible for making the sacrilegious movie, as well as an effective legislation at an international level to stop acts aimed at degrading any religion and faith in the world. Addressing a ceremony at the Governor’s House to distribute compensation cheques among heirs of the factory fire victims, the PM said the movie had not only hurt the sentiments of the Muslim world, but also endangered world peace. The Pakistan government had strongly been condemning the sacrilegious movie at all forums, besides protecting the sanctity and dignity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“The objective of the observance of Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool was to lodge our protest and anger at international level and make those unscrupulous elements realise that any kind of profanity and disrespect of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shall not be tolerated. We not only deem it the essence of our faith but also a pride for us to lay down our lives to protect the sanctity and grace of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he added.

The PM said a handful of miscreants had tried to sabotage the peaceful protest by resorting to riots and ransacking public and private property. The government, he said, would not spare these elements and take strict action against them.

The Pakistanis belonging to other religions, including Christians, Hindus and Sikhs have also termed the movie sacrilegious, and all Muslim countries had also protested and condemned this blasphemous act, he said.

The PM said President Zardari is going to participate in the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (today) and crux of his speech would be the blasphemy issue. He would stress the international community to take measures for curbing such inhuman acts in future and take to task those responsible for the movie’s making. Raja also said the fire incident in the city was a national tragedy and the federal government would extend full financial assistance to the victims’ families.

Daily Times