Pak strongly condemns provocative & sacrilegious remarks regarding Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH made by a Hindu priest: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (SABAH): Pakistan has strongly condemned the provocative and sacrilegious remarks regarding Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) made by a Hindu priest Yati Narsinghan.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at a news briefing in Islamabad on Monday, said the remarks have gravely hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and Muslims around the world.

The FO spokesperson urged the Indian authorities to hold the priest to account and take immediate action to curb the growing tide of religious intolerance and hate speech targeting Muslims in India.

In response to media queries regarding the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan categorically rejects the frivolous statement made by spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan on Sunday.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the statement constitutes an unacceptable and deplorable interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan.

She said that instead of lecturing a democratic country, the AIG should focus on fixing its own domestic problems; prioritize inclusivity; and be responsive to needs and aspirations of its own people including the right to education for women and girls rather than curtailing their rights through misguided interpretation of religion.

The AIG should also deliver on the commitments given to the international community by denying space to terror groups which are seriously threatening peace and security in neighbouring countries; and by preventing Afghanistan from becoming once again the centre of global terrorism.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan remains committed to peace, dialogue, and cooperation in the region and expects all states, including Afghanistan, to adhere to the basic norms of responsible international conduct and interstate relations.