News
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Govt declares national holiday in response to anti-Islam film* Cabinet decides to observe Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) tomorrow
* PTA asked to enter into an agreement with YouTube for blocking any sacrilegious material
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday declared Friday (tomorrow) a national holiday and decided to observe it as Yaum-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) against the blasphemous film, which has hurt the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
An Ishq-e-Rasool Conference would be held tomorrow morning to convey a message that sentiments of Pakistani people were hurt by the anti-Islam film, Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the reporters after the cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Kaira said the cabinet has suggested PTA enter into an agreement with YouTube for blocking any sacrilegious material. “The culprits involved in the production, exhibition and uploading of the film on the Internet should be brought to book and no leniency should be shown to them,” the minister added.
He said the holiday announced on Friday was the only way to observe a protest in connection with the anti-Islam film, and provinces and private sector business community were also being approached to observe the holiday.
However, he appealed to the nation to remain peaceful during protests, marches and rallies, saying damaging the country’s property will serve no purpose. He also said there was a proposal to hold an emergency meeting of Pakistani ambassadors to discuss the issue.
“If any organisation does not respect sentiments of our people, we will not allow it access in Pakistan,” the minister remarked, adding the cabinet had also asked President Asif Zardari to raise the issue at United Nations General Assembly and that an OIC session should be summoned to demand such acts be permanently restricted.
Moreover, PM Raja said the government strongly condemned the nefarious act, and asked the people to protest peacefully, observe restraint and refrain from damaging public property.
The PM also discussed the deadly fires in Karachi and Lahore and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. He also said he was extremely saddened by the casualties and displacement of people due to the recent torrential rains and flash floods.
He said a relief package of Rs 2 billion had been announced for the flood-hit areas of Sindh. He said he also planned to visit rain-affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Balochistan to ensure acceleration of relief operations and announce relief packages.
He said the government believes in the policy of reconciliation and it would continue to tread on this path.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk