Samsung Pakistan issues statement on Karachi protests

Karachi: Samsung on Friday issued a statement to address the protests which saw the company’s billboards being destroyed over allegations of blasphemy.

The company said it has immediately started an internal investigation into the matter.

Samsung said, “With reference to latest developments in Karachi, Samsung Electronics stands firm on its stance that the company has utmost respect for all religious sentiments and beliefs and hold the religion of Islam in utmost respect.

The statement came after protesters belonging to a religious party said a QR code introduced by the company insulted Islam.

Police said they have arrested a Samsung employee Asgahr Abbas Rizvi under the Telegraph act and Blasphemy of Sahaba, the companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Violent protests started in Karachi after the Samsung employee allegedly specified a blasphemous name for his WiFi device.

Reports about Samsung introducing a blasphemous QR code turned out to be incorrect.