Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with Denmark over the re-publication of the blasphemous cartoons, said an official statement. The Danish Charge d Affairs was called to Pakistan Foreign Office and told that the re-publication of the cartoons has deeply offended Muslim feelings and sentiments all over the world. While we uphold freedom of the press, freedom of expression should not be taken as a license to insult and malign other religions, the statement said. In fact, the publication of the cartoons was an abuse and perversion of freedom of expression, which showed disrespect for the beliefs of other people, the statement said. The Additional Secretary underlined that the publication of the cartoons was counter to the efforts of countries and people who wished to build bridges amongst civilizations. Since hurting sentiments of other religions was not responsible behaviour, the Danish Government was obliged as a responsible government to stop the publication of the cartoons, he said. The Charge d Affairs said that the Danish government did not have any hand in the publication of the cartoons and that he would convey the sentiments of the government of Pakistan to his government.
