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.

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