Government protests to Dutch envoy

Islamabad: The government of Pakistan on Friday lodged a strong protest with the Netherlands over the release on internet of Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilder's film defaming Islam.

The protest was conveyed to the ambassador here of the Nethlerlands who was called to the foreign ministry to the Ministry.

An official statement said the ambassador was told that the release of the film deeply offended the sentiments of Muslims in Pakistan and other countries.

It was emphasised that insult to other religions could never be justified on the basis of freedom of expression and damaged efforts to build bridges between religions and civilisations.

The envoy was told that it was incumbent upon the Dutch Government to take measures to minimise the impact of the action and prosecute Geert Wilder for deliberately hurting Muslims' sentiments.