Pakistan has strongly condemned the recent Islamophobic incidents in Sweden and the Netherlands.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Pakistan strongly condemns the recent abhorrent act of desecration of the Holy Quran during rallies in Sweden.

He said these mindless provocative Islamophobic incidents serve no purpose other than hurting the sensitivities of over 1.5 billion Muslims living all over the world.

He said Pakistan also strongly condemns the offensive remarks made by a Dutch politician, attacking Islam and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The Spokesperson said such actions are not covered under legitimate expressions of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, which carry responsibilities under international human rights law, such as the obligation not to carry out hate speech and incite people to violence.

He said Muslims, including in Pakistan, unequivocally condemn the practice of insulting Islam, Christianity and Judaism alike, and stand against all acts of violence on the basis of religion or belief. He said these principles must be equally respected and supported by all.