Pakistan Reader# 621, 6 July 2023
Prerana P
On 5 July, The Friday Times reported that Shehbaz Sharif’s government condemned the burning of the Quran in Sweden and appealed to all the political parties and the public to join in the upcoming demonstration, to be held on 7 July 2023. He said the joint session should adopt a resolution condemning the incident in Sweden. Additionally, the members of the Christian community of Mardan protested, raised banners and placards, rallied and chanted slogans against the Swedish government. They stated that severe punishment must be served to the perpetrators as the act has disturbed world peace.
At Pakistan’s request, the UNHRC would soon host an urgent session addressing issues like Islamophobia and religious hate. The committee stated that the meeting would focus on the topic which would raise religious intolerance across the globe. Further, the Foreign Office said: "Such wilful incitement to discrimination, hatred, and violence cannot be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression and protest,” and declared that all nations must include laws to prevent such religious hatred. Desecration Of Holy Quran: Govt announces countrywide Demonstrations on July 7,” The Friday Times, 5 July 2023, “Christians take to streets in Mardan, Mansehra against Quran desecration,” Dawn, 6 July 2023)