Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin for his statements on Prophet Muhammad. Earlier today, he held a telephonic conversation with the Russian President and expressed his appreciation.
Taking to Twitter, PM Khan said Putin is the first Western leader who showed empathy and sensitivity towards Muslim sentiments for their Prophet.
“Just spoke to President Putin primarily to express my appreciation for his emphatic statement that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to abuse our Prophet PBUH. He is the first Western leader to show empathy & sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet PBUH,” PM Khan said.
Read more: Let’s build ‘close partnership,’ Putin to Erdogan
He also revealed that they both discussed ways to enhance trade and cooperation between Russia and Pakistan. The two leaders also invited each other to visit their countries.
“We also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. We invited each other to visit our countries,” PM Khan further added.
We also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. We invited each other to visit our countries.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 17, 2022
To clarify, in December 2021, Vladimir Putin took a strong stance and said disrespecting Holy Prophet Muhammad is not freedom of speech.
“What are insults against the Prophet Muhammad? Is this creative freedom? I think not. This is a violation of freedom of religion and a violation of the holy feelings of people who profess Islam. And this brings to life other, even more, acute and extremist manifestations,” he said at an annual conference.
Read more: Disrespecting Holy Prophet not freedom of speech: Russia’s Vladimir Putin
Pakistan and Russia reiterate commitment to Afghanistan
During the call, PM Imran Khan and President Putin agreed to remain in close contact on matters relating to Afghanistan. The Prime Minister underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is pivotal for regional stability.
He said Afghanistan is facing dire humanitarian and economic challenges and support of the international community to the people of Afghanistan at this critical juncture remained vitally important.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of the release of Afghanistan’s financial assets for addressing the dire needs of the Afghan people.
Read more: World Bank backs using $280 million in frozen aid funds for Afghanistan