An interview with Mukhtar Mai in the United Nations scheduled for Friday night has been cancelled because of pressure from Pakistanâs government, according to the New York Times. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, currently on an official visit to the US, said he was not aware of the planned interview or cancellation. âI have no Idea. I donât know how the place functions.â
Aziz said he supported Mai. âI have supported her and her efforts. She is a great proponent and champion of women rights,â he said.
The New York-based charity Virtue Foundation and the Asian American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights had set up several interviews with Mai at the United Nations on Friday. âFaced with pressure from Pakistanâs mission to the United Nations, which asked them to cancel the event, it was cancelled at 8 pm last night,â said Joseph Salim, founder and executive director of the foundation, Reuters reported. UN sources said Pakistani envoys did not want to detract attention from the prime ministerâs visit. Pakistani diplomats were not immediately available for comment.
Shashi Tharoor, the under general secretary for communications, said he could not comment on this specific case. âAs a general principle, indeed there are written instructions guiding the holding of any event on UN premises in which we are obliged to take into account views formally expressed by member states. This is a building and an organisation that belongs to member states,â the NYT quoted him as saying.