ISLAMABAD - National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq urged the parliaments of the Muslim countries to adopt a unified approach against the continued practice of printing blasphemous caricatures of the holy prophet (peace be upon him) by numerous western journals.
According to a message received from Istanbul Turkey, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who is heading Pakistan’s delegation at the 10th Parliamentary Conference of the Islamic countries has personally moved a resolution condemning such a heinous practice.
Pakistan is the only country to have raised this critical issue at the august Islamic parliamentary forum and hence is leading the joint parliamentary opinion of the Muslim world.
The Pakistan resolution has been drafted on the similar lines as the one unanimously passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on January 15, 2015. The draft says, “The resolution opines that such malicious attacks on the sanctity of the holy prophet (peace be upon him) and all other messengers of Almighty Allah are designed means of “hate speech”. These are deliberate attempts to incite violence, create discord, widen misunderstandings among the civilisations and thereby provide opportunities to the terrorist elements to capitalise on public sentiments.”
While referring to Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations, Pakistan’s resolution further notes that the publication of such derogatory material is also against the internationally recognised norms of freedom of expression. The resolution also quotes Article 10 of the European Union’s Convention of Human Rights.
While firmly rejecting violence under any pretext, the resolution urges the international community, the United Nations, the OIC and the EU to jointly work for creating harmony and understanding among the civilisations by taking steps to stop such heinous practices.
IAEA praises Pakistan's
nuclear safety
Online adds: Deputy Director General (Safeguards) Tero Varjoranta, of the IAEA on Monday expressed satisfaction over the Pakistan's nuclear programme's safety.
The DDG appreciated Pakistan-IAEA cooperation and conveyed the Agency's satisfaction at implementation of safeguard measures by Pakistan, the Foreign Ministry said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) official also called on the Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudry here. Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) also attended the meeting.
Various issues of mutual interest encompassing Pakistan-IAEA cooperation especially in the 'Safeguards' domain were discussed during the meeting.
Sharing an overview of safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear programme with the visiting dignitary, the Foreign Secretary mentioned that Pakistan attached the highest priority to the safety and security of its nuclear programme. He highlighted Pakistan's unblemished record of nuclear safety.
The DDG praised Pakistan's active and positive role at the IAEA. Pakistan has been actively contributing to the Agency's work as member of the IAEA Board of Governors on numerous occasions.  
Two years ago, the UN and US officials had also praised Pakistan for safeguarding its nuclear programme. Leaders from around the world at Hague conference last year praised Pakistan's steps taken for nuclear safety.  
After the track record Pakistan has for the last few years, a circle in the country is hopeful for a possible Pak-US civil nuclear deal.
Pakistan is also among the leading recipients of IAEA's technical assistance.