PTI to protest on Friday against defamatory movie

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaaf’s vice president and spokesperson on religious affairs, Ejaz Ahmad Chauhdry and Information secretary, Shafqat Mahmood held a press conference at the Central Media Cell Lahore, where they confirmed support for the strike called on Friday 21st September 2012 in protest against the blasphemous movie. They pointed out that the anti-islam sentiment portrayed in the film to create unrest in the muslim world is detestable and that PTI will also hold a peaceful protest on Friday along with all other organizations.

Talking to the media, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry also pointed out that the maker of the film, Nakoula, first held a screening of the film at a Hollywood theatre where they had informed law enforcement agencies beforehand that the content of the film may create unrest and agitation and that required arrangements should be catered for. Furthermore he explained that the making of the film was a deep rooted conspiracy as the actors participating were given a script on a daily basis so that the project can remain under wraps before it is completed and made public.

PTI has announced peaceful protests after Jumma prayers on Friday and requests the muslim world to join hands and come forward and condemn the content of the movie. Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry also clarified our constitutional stance, as a nation, of tolerance against all faiths including Christianity and Jewism. In lieu of the same he said that the President should put forward the issues to the United Nations in his address to the GeneralAassembly so that laws may be formalized accordingly. Such instances are brought in to play to repress the muslim community and to give rise to aggression and unrest in the muslim world and shall be condemned. Information Secretary, Shafqat Mahmood, also pointed out that the term “Freedom of expression/opinion” is just an excuse and that it cannot be used to justify the defamation of Islam.

In response to the questions raised PTI clarified that the protests will be peaceful. It was also said that OIC has become an inactive institution and should immediately be brought into action so that such issues faced by the Muslim community should be resolved in consultation with each other.