ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in its meeting has condemned the insulting French publication in strongest possible ways by passing a unanimous resolution.
It sent a copy of the resolution to the Foreign Office so that the latter can convey the same to ambassadors in Pakistan.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel at the Parliament House here on Friday.
The resolution said, "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, representing the sentiments of the Pakistani people and all civilized humanity strongly condemns the willful slander and insults hurled in a section of the French media towards Islam and the core beliefs of all Muslims."
Such an approach reflects hypocrisy and double standards among some in the West who justify this provocation in the name of `freedom', while jailing those who deny the Holocaust.
The committee welcomes the statement of Pope Francis-II who also condemned the provocation.
The Foreign Affairs Committee urges the government to take up this issue with the Europeans in Brussels, and criminalize Islamophobia in a manner similar to the laws regarding the Holocaust."
The committee discussed in detail the visits of the Prime Minister to China, Germany and UK, Afghan President's visit to Pakistan and outcome of the SAARC conference held in Nepal.
Senator Haji Adeel asked the Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz about the reasons of postponement of the visit by Chinese President.
The Chairman said that Pak-China Economic corridor is highly important for both countries, however, he pointed out that there were reports in the press about some modifications in the original design.
Members of the Committee were of the view that the matter relates to Planning Commission (PC) so it would be appropriate to get a detailed briefing from PC on Pak-China Economic Corridor and recent developments in this regard.
Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aizaz Chaudhary, informed that the visit of the Chinese President was postponed due to sit-ins.
The Prime Minister visited China to sign important pacts and MOUs.
Aizaz said that China is an important country for Pakistan and the visit of the PM gave further boost to bilateral relations.
He said that Pak-China Economic Corridor is an important project which will bring socio-economic prosperity in the country.
He also gave detailed overview of the visits to US and Germany.
The Senators asked the Foreign Office to look into the credibility of a news item published in today's newspapers pertaining to trade between Afghanistan and India and Pakistan's role in it.
The committee also offered fateha for the martyrs of Army Public School and sympathized with victim families.
Discussing the recent SAARC summit in Nepal, Foreign Secretary told the committee that the member countries as well as the whole world saw a positive and constructive role of Pakistani leadership.
He said that Pakistan held bilateral meetings with all the members countries except India but the incidental handshake between the two premiers also sent a very positive and meaningful message.
The committee also discussed the complaint by Ex-Accountant of Pakistan Embassy School, Sana Yemen Shafqat Elahi against the Ambassador of Pakistan in Yemen, Dr. Irfan Yousaf Shami against his termination from school.
The Senators expressed dissatisfaction over the briefing given by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and directed the Adviser to Prime Minister to appoint an inquiry officer to probe the issue and present a report in 15 days.
The meeting was attended among others by Senators Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, Farhatullah Babar, Mrs. Sehar Kamran, Col (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Syeda Sughra Imam, Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and senior officers of the ministry were also present during the meeting.
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