SWABI, Feb 17: Freedom of expression does not mean a licence to target other religions and hurt sentiments of others, said political leaders at a Rabita programme organised by the Abaseen Union of Journalists here on Friday.

JUI-F MNA Khalil Ahmad said that European countries where the cartoons were published should tender apology to Muslims. He said that those involved in the blasphemous act should be punished, he added.

Former district nazim and Awami National Party leader Jehanzeb Khan said that boycotting European goods was not enough. The situation demands that Muslims should take a lesson from the blasphemous cartoons and forge unity in their ranks.

JUI-F leader Najeem Khan said that first European newspapers published the blasphemous cartoons and then defended it in the name of freedom of the press.

The problem, he said, was that they did not realize the sensitivity of the situation which has now gone out of their control.

PPP district president Manfat Khan said people in Muslims countries were ready to render sacrifices and the outrage of the Muslims was increasing with the passage of time, because the Europeans did not stop reproduction of the blasphemous cartoons.