ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned "hurtful" comments against Islam by a member of India's ruling party, which have drawn rebuke from several Muslim countries, including Qatar and Kuwait.
Nupur Sharma, a spokeswoman for India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party, made the remarks during a TV debate about Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
On Sunday, the BJP said it had suspended Sharma and denounced "insult of any religious personalities of any religion." Another BJP spokesman Naveen Jindal was also expelled from the party over comments he made about Islam on social media, the party said.
The comments have since sparked condemnations from several Muslim countries.
"I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India's BJP leader about our beloved Prophet (PBUH). Have said it repeatedly India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India," Pakistan PM Sharif said on Twitter.
"Our love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is supreme. All Muslims can sacrifice their life for the Love & Respect of their Holy Prophet (PBUH)."
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement it had summoned the Indian ambassador over the comments.
It said it welcomed the BJP's decision to suspend the official but said Qatar was expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks by the Indian government.
Kuwait also summoned the Indian ambassador and said it had handed the ambassador a protest note, in which the Arab country rejected and denounced the statements made by the BJP official.
"Good to see Arab world standing up against Modi and his fascist party," former Pakistani PM Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said on Twitter.
Khan vigorously advocated against Islamophobia and derogatory remarks about Islamic figures during his tenure as prime minister, which ended in April.
