Protests against attack on JUI-F chief

Government urged to bring culprits to justice.

GILGIT/LAHORE/QUETTA:

Condemning the attacks on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, protestors after Friday prayers held rallies in Gilgit, accusing the US security contracting firm formerly known as Blackwater of masterminding the onslaughts that left dozens dead in Peshawar.

“The US and Blackwater are behind the attacks on the Maulana,” said the protesters who had converged at the busy Kalma Chowk.

The speakers, including a leading G-B Sunni religious leader Qazi Nisar Ahmed, a leader of JUI-F Gilgit Minhajuddin and others, called on the government to unmask the ‘conspiracy’ and bring the alleged ‘conspirators’ to justice as they had attempted to eliminate a politician, who the protesters claimed, had protected Pakistan from becoming a secular country.

“These western powers want to eliminate Islam and the Maulana was the biggest hurdle in their way,” said Nisar.

Minhajuddin claimed there were several Raymond Davis’ roaming around in the country, supposedly implementing nefarious designs against Pakistan and Islam.

Meanwhile, a complete strike was observed in parts of Balochistan on Friday against the attack on JUI-F chief. Political and religious parties, besides Anjuman-e-Tajran, endorsed the call given by the JUI-F to record their protest against the suicide attack on Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The main markets in Liaquat Baazar, Prince Road, Abdul Sattar Road, Jinnah Road, Mecongy Road and Toghi Road remained closed throughout the day.

In Lahore, A large number of JUI-F workers participated in the protest outside the Lahore Press Club.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd,  2011.