Cabinet to Confirm a ‘Policy Decision’ on Ties With France

In light of the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France, the federal cabinet is all set to take a policy decision on the issue of severing diplomatic relations with France and whether Pakistan should officially issue directions for boycotting French products in markets.

On the weekly cabinet meeting day, Tuesday, on the directions of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the cabinet will take up a petition calling for Pakistan to end diplomatic ties with France and other matters. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had directed the Cabinet secretary to use the Shohada Foundation of Pakistan’s petition which was filed after the French satirical weekly magazine, Charlie Hebdo published blasphemous sketches in September.

Justice Kayani, in the order issued on October 28, 2020, stated: “…entire question raised in the instant writ petition is related to the policy decision of Government, therefore, the instant writ petition is converted into representation and transmitted the same to the Secretary, Cabinet Division to place the same before Federal Cabinet in the upcoming meeting to take a policy decision.”

The petition was placed on the Cabinet’s agenda a month after IHC’s issue of the order. The petition will be taken up tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1, 2020, by the federal cabinet.

Petitioner’s counsel, Tariq Asad stated that the French publication issued immoral caricatures which were blasphemous, defamatory, Islamophobic and met with a lot resentment and fury by the Islamic world.

Moreover, during the hearing, the counsel argued that despite facing opposition from Turkey and Qatar, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered for the sketches to be displayed on two buildings.

The petitioner asseverated that the foreign affairs secretary should call on the French ambassador, ask his government to issue an apology and restrain Charlie Hebdo and its editor from any form of blasphemy again. In the meantime, the petitioner prayed the court to direct the public to officially boycott French products in Pakistani markets and to also cut off diplomatic ties.

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