Pakistan summoned US chargé d'affaires Richard Hoagland to Foreign Office on Friday and lodged a strong protest with him over the blasphemous movie, besides urging the US government for taking immediate measures to remove the sacrilegious video from YouTube.
According to Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Ambassador Richard Hoagland was told that the blasphemous video posted on the YouTube attacking the personage of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was an attack on 1.5 billion Muslims and a premeditated and a malicious act to spread hatred and violence among people of different faiths.
The top US diplomat was summoned on the eve of Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH), to convey the anger that exists among Pakistani people on the sacrilegious movie released in the US. "He (Hoagland) was conveyed that the US government should immediately take measures to remove the sacrilegious video from YouTube and take action against its author," the spokesman said, adding that the top US diplomat was reminded that all faiths need to promote inter-religious harmony and tolerance. "The intentional spread of hatred among faiths is an attack on humanity itself," the spokesman added.
Moazzam said that Ambassador Hoagland reiterated his government position as well that of the US leadership that they strongly condemned the video. "The video was disgusting and was an act of one aberrant individual," the top US diplomat was quoted as having said. He further stated that vast majority of American people have also condemned it.
Meanwhile, US Embassy spokesman said that the chargé d'affaires met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the controversial video circulating on the internet. Hoagland reiterated that the United States government has condemned this video's contents and its message and emphasised that the United States government has nothing to do with it. "Ambassador Hoagland stated that this was a deeply insensitive decision by a single individual to disseminate hatred. It does not reflect the values of the United States, a nation of more than 300 million people, built upon the pillars of religious freedom and tolerance," Hoagland was quoted by the embassy spokesman as saying.
Hoagland echoed the call by the Prime Minister and other officials from the government of Pakistan for citizens to remain calm and express their views peacefully. Ambassador Hoagland also underscored his appreciation to the government of Pakistan for its commitment to protect the facilities and personnel of diplomatic missions.