Pakistan condemns 'repeated abominable' acts of desecration of Qur'an

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks during an interview with AFP in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 22, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 24 July 2023
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Pakistan condemns 'repeated abominable' acts of desecration of Qur'an

  • In latest burning, Iraq condemns burning of copy of Qur'an in front of its embassy in Denmark
  • Demonstrations have raged across Muslim world after Denmark and Sweden allowed Qur'an burnings

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday "strongly condemned" repeated acts of the desecration of the Holy Qur'an, vowing to redouble efforts to counter Islamophobia.

In a latest incident, Iraq condemned the burning of a copy of the Qur'an in front of its embassy in Denmark on Monday and said Danish staff at the embassy in Baghdad had left the country after protests there, while Copenhagen said it had "not withdrawn from Iraq."

Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari spoke with Hissein Brahim Taha, the current Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, on Monday and condemned the latest act of desecration. 

"We strongly condemned the repeated abominable & unacceptable Islamophobic acts of the desecration of the Holy Quran that unfortunately continue unchecked," the FM said. "Reiterated our commitment to redouble collective efforts to effectively counter Islamophobia."

 

 

 

Demonstrations have raged across the Muslim world, particularly Iran and Iraq, after Denmark and Sweden allowed the burning of the Qur'an under rules protecting free speech. Protesters in Iraq set the Swedish embassy in Baghdad alight on Thursday.

Two anti-Islam protesters set fire to a copy of Islam's holy book in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital on Monday.

Iraq's foreign ministry called on authorities of EU countries to "quickly reconsider so-called freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate."

Earlier this month, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution on religious hatred in the wake of the burning of a Qur'an in Sweden, prompting concern by Western states who say it challenges long-held practices in rights protection.

The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calls for the UN rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may "impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred."

The resolution was strongly opposed by the United States and the European Union, who say it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. While condemning the burning of the Qur'an, they argued the OIC initiative was designed to safeguard religious symbols rather than human rights.


Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan

Updated 16 December 2025
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Customs seize narcotics, smuggled goods, vehicles worth $4.9 million in southwest Pakistan

  • Customs seize 22.14 kg narcotics, consignments of smuggled betel nuts, Hino trucks, auto parts, says FBR
  • Smuggled goods enter Pakistan’s Balochistan province from neighboring countries Iran and Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs seized narcotics, smuggled goods and vehicles worth a total of Rs1.38 billion [$4.92 million] in the southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said in a statement. 

Customs Enforcement Quetta seized and recovered 22.14 kilograms of narcotics and consignments of smuggled goods comprising betel nuts, Indian medicines, Chinese salt, auto parts, a ROCO vehicle and three Hino trucks in two separate operations, the FBR said. All items cost an estimated Rs1.38 billion, it added. 

Smuggled items make their way into Pakistan through southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan. 

“These operations are part of the collectorate’s intensified enforcement drive aimed at curbing smuggling and dismantling illegal trade networks,” the FBR said. 

“All the seized narcotics, goods and vehicles have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under the Customs Act 1969 have been formally initiated.”

In the first operation, customs officials intercepted three containers during routine checking at FEU Zariat Cross (ZC) area. The containers were being transported from Quetta to Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the FBR said. 

The vehicles intercepted included three Hino trucks. Their detailed examination led to the recovery of the smuggled goods which were concealed in the containers.

In the second operation, the staff of the Collectorate of Enforcement Customs, Quetta, intercepted a ROCO vehicle at Zariat Cross area with the local police’s assistance. 

The driver was interrogated while the vehicle was searched, the FBR said. 

“During interrogation, it was disclosed that drugs were concealed inside the spare wheel at the bottom side of the vehicle,” it said. 

“Upon thorough checking, suspected narcotics believed to be heroin was recovered which was packed in 41 packets, each weighing 0.54 kilograms.”

The narcotics weighed a total of 22.14 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs1.23 billion in the international market, the FBR concluded. 

“The Federal Board of Revenue has commended the Customs Enforcement Quetta team for their effective action and reiterated its firm resolve to combat smuggling, illicit trade and illegal economic activities across the country,” it said.