ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is committed to combating hate narratives and Islamophobia, the United Nations heard Thursday, following the prime minister’s plan to campaign for an international declaration against defamation of religion.
Maleeha Lodhi made the remarks at a UN forum in New York, telling delegates that diversity was seen as a threat and that Prime Minister Imran Khan had pledged to counter Islamophobia.
“Hate narratives are spreading in several parts of the world; Islamophobia is on the rise and diversity is being seen not as a source of enrichment but as a threat; and politics of fear seem to be replacing politics of hope,” Lodhi said, according to a government handout.
Khan had urged the promotion of tolerance at a conference earlier this week.
He said his government had helped persuade Dutch authorities to cancel a cartoon contest organized by far-right MP Geert Wilders.
The competition, which the Islamist political group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan claimed was blasphemous, triggered protests and demands for the country to sever ties with the Netherlands.
Lodhi, who is Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, called for greater respect for religious beliefs, symbols and revered personalities.
Pakistan believed that the values of peace, tolerance, egalitarianism and respect for humanity were shared by all religions, she said.
“This common heritage should enable the world to draw strength from its diversity rather than allowing it to be used as justification to accentuate differences.
“Together we need to encourage states to take steps to create an environment of religious tolerance, inclusiveness and respect. The complex task of peace-building can only be accomplished when we collectively build on a common vision of a peaceful world, and adopt an inclusive approach to promote better understanding,” Lodhi told the meeting.
UN hears of Pakistan pledge to combat defamation of religion
UN hears of Pakistan pledge to combat defamation of religion
- Respect each other’s beliefs and personalities, says top diplomat
- PM plans to counter Islamophobia and incitement to hatred
Pakistan deputy PM speaks with Iranian FM as Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones
- Ishaq Dar expresses concern over evolving regional situation as both officials agree to remain in contact
- Pakistan earlier reminded Tehran of its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia during diplomatic outreach
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that were intercepted by the Kingdom’s air defenses.
The call comes as Islamabad remains in contact with both Tehran and Gulf states to prevent the widening Iran conflict from spilling further across the region, particularly after attempted strikes on Saudi territory, a sensitive development for Pakistan, which signed a mutual defense pact with the Kingdom last year.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Dar raised concerns about the evolving regional situation during the conversation.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the developments,” it added.
The ministry did not share details of the conversation, though it came amid fast-moving developments in the region, with Saudi Arabia saying its air defenses intercepted multiple missiles and drones early on Friday.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to discourage attacks on Gulf countries and prevent misunderstandings.
“Such attacks should not be carried out from Iran’s side,” he told Geo TV.
Prior to that, the deputy prime minister told Pakistan’s Senate that Islamabad had engaged both Iran and Saudi Arabia at the outset of Iran’s retaliation in the region, reminding Tehran of its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and conveying assurances from Riyadh that Saudi territory would not be used against Iran.
Pakistan says its administration is striving to end the conflict, though the United States-Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered the war and led to its spillover, have only intensified.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday some countries had begun mediation efforts but insisted Tehran would defend its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on his Truth Social platform as the confrontation shows little sign of easing.
