The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday disposed of a writ petition seeking the court's directions for the government to cut off its diplomatic relations with the Netherlands over sacrilegious caricatures contest. A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the verdict which he had reserved earlier. He directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to implement high court's earlier judgement in another petition moved against blasphemous material on social media.
In this matter, the petition was moved by a social activist and former spokesperson for Shohda Foundation Hafiz Ihtesham Ahmad. In his petition, he cited the prime minister through his principal secretary, federation of Pakistan through secretary foreign affairs, federal secretary interior and federal secretary of Ministry of Information Technology (IT) as respondents.
He stated in his petition that relation with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most precious asset for Muslims. The petitioner added that they could not tolerate any single attack on the sanctity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He informed the court that Geert Wilders, head of Dutch ruling party Freedom Party, had announced to hold blasphemous cartoon contest at the Parliament of Netherlands. He continued that Wilders had also announced to telecast the contest live.
The petitioner told that the national security and national counter terrorism departments of Netherlands have also permitted him to hold the profane contest.
He adopted before the court that this act of Wilders has not only hurt the feelings of Muslims but also it is a grave threat to world peace. He said that Pakistan came into being in the name of Islam and therefore, it is responsibility of state of Pakistan to ensure protection of sanctity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He argued that in the name of freedom of expression, disrespect of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is unacceptable and the government should take stern action over this issue. He deplored that the government of Pakistan till now has failed to take any effective measure in this regard.
He said that in this scenario, Pakistan should not only cut its diplomatic relations with the Netherlands but it should also carry out economic boycott of the country. The petitioner prayed to the court to direct the government to expel Dutch diplomatic staff from Pakistan and withdraw Pakistani diplomatic staff from the Netherlands. He also requested the court to direct Interior Ministry to put complete ban on sale and purchase of Dutch products. He further prayed to the court to direct Ministry of IT to ensure that the contest is not telecast even through social media in Pakistan.