ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with his Canadian counterpart Marc Garneau and discussed matters pertaining to recent tragic incident of Islamophoia in Canada, as well as bilateral ties.
According to tribune, The two foreign ministers agreed to work together on countering Islamophobia through coordinated efforts at various international fora, said a statement issued by the foreign office. “Both foreign ministers further agreed to remain in close contact [in this connections],” it added.
On Sunday, A Canadian Muslim family of Pakistani origin, lost three of its generations after it was targeted in a “religiously-motivated” attack when a pick-up truck ran over them in the south of Canada’s Ontario province while they were waiting on the sidewalk to cross the road.
The four family members killed were Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah Afzaal and Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother whose name has not yet been released. Their nine-year-old son, Fayez Afzaal, is in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, during today’s telephonic conversation, stated that the Islamophobic attack was a matter of serious concern and had caused anguish among the Muslims worldwide. He appreciated the fact that the Canadian government, civil society, media and general public had extended support to the family of the victims in this hour of grief. tribune reported.
Foreign Minister briefed his Canadian counterpart on the efforts undertaken by the government of Pakistan to raise awareness and to curtail the growing Islamophobic tendencies. He underscored that the international community must show a common resolve against the rising trend of Islamophobia and promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony.
