ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemned desecration of Holy Quran and dishonouring of Pakistani flag in front of Embassy of Pakistan in Copenhagen, Denmark.

According to Foreign Office, protest has been lodged with Government of Denmark. We expect Danish authorities to take all measures necessary to stop such acts of hatred and incitement.

Intent of such evil acts is to insult two billion Muslims around world and create friction amongst communities, cultures and countries. These acts, by any definition, do not constitute freedom of expression. Nor can permission to carry out provocative acts of religious hatred be justified under pretext of freedom of expression, opinion and protest.

As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said, "Speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims are offensive, irresponsible and wrong".

Pakistan has always maintained that freedom of expression comes with responsibilities. It is responsibility of national governments, regional organisations and international community at large to call out, condemn and proactively prevent vile acts of Islamophobia and religious hatred.

As urged by UN Human Rights Council, relevant countries must address, prevent and prosecute such acts of religious hatred.

International community must raise its collective voice against Islamophobia and work together to promote inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-existence.

Pakistan, for its part will continue to raise question of Islamophobia at international level. This issue was key point of telephone conversations of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with his counterparts from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and with Secretary General of OIC and UN Secretary General.