Nationwide protests against Rawalpindi tragedy

RAWALPINDI: Protests were held in several cities of Pakistan against the Rawalpindi tragedy in which 11 people were killed during the Ashura procession. Security was heightened and large contingents from law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain law and order.

In Rawalpindi, schools and shops remained closed. Following Friday prayers, the Madrassa Taleem ul Quran called off the protest in the city. Those gathered for prayers dispersed peacefully, however there were some small rallies taken out. Authorities later opened Fawara Chowk and Murree Road for traffic.

Earlier, Ahle Sunnat Wal Juma'at leader, Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi appealed to people to remain patient. He added that people should remain peaceful and thwart foreign conspiracies.

In Islamabad students from various seminaries took part in the protest rally which began at the Lal Mosque and finished at the press club. A large contingent of the police was present along the route of the rally. Addressing the rally, Ulema condemned the Rawalpindi tragedy and called for action against the perpetrators.

Religious groups also protested in Lahore. A protest was held outside the Lahore Press Club and participants demanded an impartial inquiry of the Rawalpindi tragedy. The Majlis-e-Wahadatul Muslimeen also held a protest infront of Karbala Gamay Shah. The participants called on the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice of the incident.

The Jamaat-i-Islami and Ahle Sunaat Wal Juma'at held protest rallies in Peshawar. Protest rallies were also taken out in Gilgit, Astore and Diamer, Abbottabad and Dera ismail Khan.

Rallies in protest of the Rawalpindi tragedy were held in several cities of Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu and Nawabshah.

Workers of the Ahle Sunaat Wal Juma’at also held protest rallies in Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Khaniwal, Muzaffargarh, Multan and Rajanpur.

Over in Balochistan, rallies were held in Quetta, Chaman and Zhob.