FO denounces rumours by fake Twitter account regarding Pakistani community in France

Published November 1, 2020
FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chadhri addresses a press conference in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV/File
FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chadhri addresses a press conference in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV/File

The Foreign Office condemned "fake news" by Indian media outlets regarding the Pakistani community in France following recent incidents including the display of blasphemous cartoons of Holy Prophet (PBUH), beheading of a middle school teacher in Paris and murder of three people in a Nice church, APP reported on Sunday.

FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chadhri, in a statement, said that Pakistan has "noticed some fake news with regard to the Pakistani diaspora in France being spread by some sections of Indian media and dummy Twitter accounts".

He was referring to tweets by a Twitter account, pretending to be run by the Pakistan embassy in France, which claimed that the French authorities were deporting Pakistani citizens following Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks regarding President Emanuel Macron. Prime Minister Imran had denounced what he called was "encouragement of Islamophobia" by Macron.

The premier was referring to comments made by President Macron in which he criticised Islamists and vowed not to "give up cartoons" depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He also contended that Samuel Paty — a teacher who was beheaded last month for showing sketches of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — was "killed because Islamists want our future".

"The baseless and misleading information is patently a handiwork of Indian anti-Pakistan propaganda machine working overtime," FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chadhri said in his statement issued today. "The Pakistani diaspora in France is law-abiding and contributing positively to the French economy."

Chaudhri said that there had been no complaints of Pakistani community members facing difficulties in the aftermath of afore-mentioned incidents.

He added that the official Twitter account of Pakistan's embassy in France @PakinFrance could be followed for accurate information.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...