LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has described the sacrilegious movie as an act of terrorism and called for awarding exemplary punishment to the people in its production.
While talking to MNA Saima Akhtar Bharwana, who called on him on Friday, the chief minister said blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was intolerable, and the entire Ummah was protesting against and shocked over this mischievous and sacrilegious act.
“A profane movie is like open terrorism; and those responsible for it, deserve exemplary punishment,” said Shahbaz, adding the PML-N government in Punjab strongly condemns the blasphemous movie.
He contended that no civilised society could allow animosity with any religion under the garb of freedom of expression. “The religious sentiments of Muslims have been badly hurt by the sacrilegious movie,” he maintained.
The chief minister said the profane movie hurting the sentiments of the entire Ummah was a shocking and shameful act, and every Muslim had the right to protest against it. However, he appealed to the people to remain peaceful during protests and avoid damaging property since Islam was a religion of peace.
Sharif said every Muslim was ready to sacrifice his life for the honour and sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). During the meeting, political and overall situation of the country was also discussed.
Also, Shahbaz Sharif said today the entire world had come to know about the sentiments of Muslims for the Holy Prophet (PBUH). “Any sacrilegious act against the dignity of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is not acceptable at any cost; therefore, the entire Ummah will lodge a strong protest over the blasphemous movie,” the chief minister added in a statement issued on Friday.
He stressed peaceful protest should also be lodged at international fora in this regard, and appealed to the people to remain peaceful while expressing their religious sentiments and avoid damaging public and private property.