No compromise on Khatam-e-Nabuwat laws: Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the government would not compromise on the laws pertaining to the finality of the Prophethood (PBUH).
The premier’s comments during a meeting that he chaired comprising senior ministers of the cabinet. It was called in response to a resolution passed by the European Parliament a few days ago, calling for a review of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status.
Sources privy to the development said that the meeting decided to address reservations of the European Parliament. The government also decided to bring legislation regarding journalists’ protection in the parliament.
The participants, during the meeting, decided to address the reservations of the European Union. It was also unanimously decided that the protection of minorities in the country would be ensured.
The participants, according to sources, said the GSP Plus trade agreement has nothing to with blasphemy laws. The meeting was briefed that Pakistan would face a loss of $3 billion if the GSP Plus status was revoked, sources said.
The European Parliament had adopted the resolution on Thursday, calling for a review of the GSP Plus status granted to Pakistan over the rising number of online and offline attacks on journalists and civil society organisations.
Responding to the European Parliament’s resolution, the Foreign Office last week had expressed disappointment over the development.
In a statement, the spokesperson said the discourse in the European Parliament reflects a lack of understanding in the context of blasphemy laws and associated religious sensitivities in Pakistan and the Muslim world. It said the unwarranted commentary about Pakistan’s judicial system and domestic laws are regrettable.
“Pakistan is a parliamentary democracy with a vibrant civil society, free media and independent judiciary, which remains fully committed to the promotion and protection of human rights for all its citizens without discrimination,” the FO had said in a statement.
The FO had said Pakistan is proud of its minorities who enjoy equal rights and complete protection of fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution. – TLTP