ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan said his statementwas taken out of context. Khan’s remarks about the attack on Rushdie duringan interview to a British daily caused a furrore in the country.
During his interaction with social media influencers in the country’sfederal capital, the PTI chief clarified that he shared his views about theIslamic view on punishments for people accused of blasphemy.
He continued saying that he commented in this context. He also citedexamples of the Sialkot incident in the context of the attack on Rushdie –the international author whose novel sparked controversy in the Muslimworld.
The cricketer turned politician recalled the horrible Sialkot incidentwhere a Sri Lankan national was lynched by a mob last year.
Earlier in December 2021, Imran Khan, who was then Prime Minister, vowed topunish those responsible for the lynching incident. The former PM hadcalled the incident a horrific vigilante attack, saying killing and burningthe Sri Lankan manager alive was a day of shame for Pakistan.
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Lamenting the silence of Pakistani politicians over Islamophobic incidents,Khan said he always stands against anti-Islam incidents as he is a lover ofProphet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Khan commented on the matter as the controversial novelist Salman Rushdiereceived serious wounds to his neck and stomach by a Muslim assailantonstage during a lecture in New York on August 12.
