Pakistan summons Dutch envoy to register protest against "anti-Koran film"

Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency

Islamabad, 5 March: Pakistan on Wednesday [5 March] said it is in touch with the Islamic countries on the issue of anti-Koran film and blasphemous Danish cartoons and the matter would be on the agenda of the forthcoming OIC [Organization of Islamic Conference] summit in Senegal. "Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan was called to the Foreign Office and a demarche was made on this issue," said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly briefing.

He said Wilders' anti-Koran film reflects his biased, bigoted thinking.

"Pakistan has also raised the issue in Brussels, Vatican and The Hague, urging European countries to take action as they had earlier taken in cases involving sensivity of other communities," he said.

"It has nothing to do with the right of freedom of expression and distinction must be drawn between freedom of expression and license to insult other communities," he added.

The spokesman cautioned that such irresponsible acts jeopardize the common endeavours for enhancing trans-civilizational understanding and cooperation and encourage clash of civilization. He pointed out that freedom of expression necessitates responsibility of action. Any remarks which target a specific group of people on the basis of religion, caste or creed and cause offence to other countries are abuse of the press freedom, he added.

The spokesman said the news of the movie has generated intense reaction amongst Muslims across the world. He said blasphemous acts like this film and cartoons tantamount to propagating politics of hate and promoting xenophobia in Europe which cannot be justified on any pretext.

Replying to a question he said that no decision has yet been made as to who will lead Pakistan's delegation at the OIC summit but added that Foreign Minister Inamul Haq would be attending the moot.

Answering to a question about testing of sea-based surface to surface missile by India, the spokesman said India had informed Pakistan before its launch. He, however, said introduction of new weapon systems should be avoided in the region as there is need to improve social indicators and alleviate poverty.

The spokesman said Pakistani nation was unanimous that there was need to make serious efforts to resolve the core issue of Kashmir and all Pakistani political parties too share this view. He said there is an opportunity and it must be seized to reach a just settlement of the dispute which should be acceptable to Pakistan, India and Kashmiris. Asked about release of Indian prisoner Kashmir Singh, he said, he was court-marshalled and sentenced for espionage and release purely on humanitarian considerations.

He, however, said there are 450 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails and expressed the hope that those who have served their sentences would be released soon.

Responding to a question he said Pakistan-Iran bus service will commence in next few weeks. A private Pakistani transport company was interested to run the service between Quetta-Zahidan and Mashhad, he added.

More than four hundred Pakistanis travel every day and ten buses daily would be needed to take care of the passengers.

About latest UN sanctions against Iran, he said, Pakistan recognizes Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear technology.

At the same time it wants Iran to fulfil its international obligations as member of the NPT. He said as a neighbour, Pakistan is concerned about any development that could lead to instability in Iran and further escalate the tension in the region.

On the question of re-joining to Commonwealth, the spokesman said, British Prime Minister has suggested that Pakistan should rejoin activities of the Commonwealth but the Government has not taken any decision as yet. About Pakistani prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay, he said, their number is less than half a dozen and others have already been released.

When his attention was drawn towards Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, the spokesman said Pakistan condemns the attack and urged the international community to take notice of it.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1303gmt 05 Mar 08