BRUSSELS, March 8: A five-member parliamentary delegation, led by Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, held a series of meetings with members of the European Parliament here on Wednesday.

The delegation apprised their interlocutors about the anguish felt by Muslims over the publication of sacrilegious cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in some European newspapers.

The delegation included Farooq Sattar, Asad Gillani, Mushtaq Victor and Dr Attiya Inayatullah.

The delegation members said the caricatures had caused great resentment among the Pakistani people, adding steps needed to be taken to promote interfaith harmony and prevent recurrence of similar cases.

Mr Haq said that Pakistan believed in a free press but freedom of expression also required responsibility and respect for the feelings of others.

The caricatures had led to very strong reaction across the Islamic World, he said and urged the European Parliament to join hands with the Organization of Islamic Countries for adopting a declaration at the United Nations to prevent blasphemy against great religions of the world.

The vice-president of the European Parliament said freedom of press should be exercised without provoking religious beliefs of other people.

He said the matter would be addressed by the Euro Mediterranean parliamentary Assembly and discussed in the parliamentary committees to raise awareness about sensitivity of issues involved.

The Pakistani delegation also met leaders of political groups, including Graham Watson (Liberal Democrats), Hannes Swobodd (Socialist) and Neena Gill, chairperson, South Asia/Saarc legation, Tokia Saifi from France and Elmar Brok, chairman of the foreign affairs committee.

The member of the European Parliament showed understanding of the concern expressed in the Islamic countries.—APP