<p>A Pakistani lawmaker from Prime Minister Imran Khan's ruling party was forced to apologise and delete a tweet deemed disrespectful to the minority Hindu community after it led to widespread condemnation and calls for action against him.</p>.<p>Amir Liaquat Hussain, a member of the National Assembly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, started the controversy when he tweeted an image of a Hindu deity to mock Opposition leader Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.</p>.<p>Hussain, who is also a popular TV host and became famous as an evangelist and religious scholar, faced flak from the Hindu community, civil society and other politicians for the tweet.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the PTI's representative from Tharparkar in Sindh province, criticised Hussain's tweet as a "shameful act".</p>.<p>"Strongly condemned this shameful act by someone who claims to be a religious scholar also but doesn't know the respect for other religions," Vankwani, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, tweeted.</p>.<p>"Delete this tweet immediately otherwise we reserve the right to demand strict action under the Blasphemy Act and protest across the country," he wrote.</p>.<p>Lal Malhi, another party leader from the Hindu community in Umerkot in Sindh, also criticised Hussain and asked Prime Minister Khan to take notice of his illogical act.</p>.<p>"Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of @AamirLiaquat and appeal @ImranKhanPTI to take notice of this immoral act. No religion including Islam permits him to do such illogical acts,” he said.</p>.<p>Hussain later deleted his tweet and tweeted an apology to the Hindu community.</p>.<p>“I know the sentiments of the Hindu community were hurt," Hussain said.</p>.<p>"I respect all faiths, this is what my religion has taught me," he added. </p>
<p>A Pakistani lawmaker from Prime Minister Imran Khan's ruling party was forced to apologise and delete a tweet deemed disrespectful to the minority Hindu community after it led to widespread condemnation and calls for action against him.</p>.<p>Amir Liaquat Hussain, a member of the National Assembly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, started the controversy when he tweeted an image of a Hindu deity to mock Opposition leader Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.</p>.<p>Hussain, who is also a popular TV host and became famous as an evangelist and religious scholar, faced flak from the Hindu community, civil society and other politicians for the tweet.</p>.<p>Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the PTI's representative from Tharparkar in Sindh province, criticised Hussain's tweet as a "shameful act".</p>.<p>"Strongly condemned this shameful act by someone who claims to be a religious scholar also but doesn't know the respect for other religions," Vankwani, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, tweeted.</p>.<p>"Delete this tweet immediately otherwise we reserve the right to demand strict action under the Blasphemy Act and protest across the country," he wrote.</p>.<p>Lal Malhi, another party leader from the Hindu community in Umerkot in Sindh, also criticised Hussain and asked Prime Minister Khan to take notice of his illogical act.</p>.<p>"Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of @AamirLiaquat and appeal @ImranKhanPTI to take notice of this immoral act. No religion including Islam permits him to do such illogical acts,” he said.</p>.<p>Hussain later deleted his tweet and tweeted an apology to the Hindu community.</p>.<p>“I know the sentiments of the Hindu community were hurt," Hussain said.</p>.<p>"I respect all faiths, this is what my religion has taught me," he added. </p>