Pakistan on Saturday said that French President Emmanuel Macron is treating Muslims like Nazis had treated Jews in World War II. After Pakistan’s remark, France’s foreign ministry has demanded Pakistani authorities to withdraw its comments. 

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Saturday tweeted, linking an online article with it, “Macron is doing to Muslims what the Nazis did to the Jews – Muslim children will get ID numbers (other children won’t) just as Jews were forced to wear the yellow star on their clothing for identification.” 

His comment came as the two nations have been clashing over the publications of prophet Mohammad’s images, which have sparked anger and protests in Islamic nations, especially Pakistan, by a French magazine. 

Also Read | Emmanuel Macron hits out at media coverage of Islamic extremism

Mazari, in a follow-up tweet, doubled down on her claims on Sunday. His tweet was condemned by Anges von der Muhll, France’s Foreign Ministery spokeswoman, who said, “These hateful words are blatant lies, imbued with an ideology of hatred and violence. Such slander is unworthy of this level of responsibility. We reject them with the greatest firmness.”

She said that France has informed the Pakistan embassy of Paris’ condemnation of the comments, saying, “Pakistan must rectify these remarks and return to the path of a dialogue based on respect,” Reuters quoted. 

Pakistan has accused Macron of “hate-mongering” against Muslims, as the nation’s parliament in October end passed a resolution urging the government its envoy from Paris.