*ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan made a surprise appearance in theSenate of Pakistan today.*

*He strongly condemned the publication of sacrilegious caricatures in theNetherlands and vowed to raise the issue in the United Nations.*

The prime minister was addressing the Senate after it passed a unanimousresolution against a competition of sacrilegious caricatures being held inthe Netherlands later this year.

The resolution was tabled by PTI leader Shibli Faraz in a session of theUpper House presided by deputy chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla.

PM Imran said they will raise the issue against the blasphemous sketches inthe United Nations, and the resolution passed by the Senate will also bepresented in the UN.

He said that such activities cannot be allowed on the pretext of freedom ofspeech, and very few people in Europe are sympathetic towards hurting thesentiments of Muslims and don’t realise the sanctity and respect for theHoly Prophet (PBUH).

He said that the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) should also uniteagainst the blasphemous sketches to give a clear message to the world and asession the Muslim body should be convened. He vowed that Pakistan willprioritise the issue and will raise it with the UN.

He also promised that he will answer questions in the Senate after everytwo weeks as even the ministers and senators are answerable to theparliament. He said that they will strengthen the process ofaccountability, and ensure that ministers and senators are regularlypresent in the House.

Expressing concern over the economic conditions, he said that steps will betaken to change the situation, and that the taxpayer’s money is for theirwelfare rather than the luxourious lifestyle of politicians.

“Change will only come if we strive for it or it will not,” he said addingthey will create a example by adopting austerity measures.