Thousands demand end to sectarian violence

Quran-o-Sunnat Conference participants urge govt to protect Shias.

LAHORE: The Quran-o-Sunnat Conference organised by Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) on Sunday at Minar-e-Pakistan has demanded an end to the target killing of Shias across the country and urged the government to protect both their lives and property.

The conference was attended by several thousand activists who demanded that the government open all thoroughfares closed in Gilgit Baltistan, Quetta and Parachinar for the security of shias otherwise they would reopen them by force. In the resolution, a cessation to torture of Shia students by ‘terrorists’ in Punjab University was also demanded.

MWM Secretary General Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jaafri during his speech said Shias would besiege GHQ, Prime Minister house, chief minister house and officers of security personnel in case safety of life and properties of Shias is not ensured in every part of the country. He advised the participants to prepare themselves for this purpose.

Jaafri warned all political parties not to make activists of banned organizations as their candidates in upcoming elections otherwise Shias would boycott these parties and would not vote for them. He criticized Jamat-e-Islami by accusing it of supporting miscreant elements in universities.

MWM deputy secretary Alama Amin Mashhadi, an activist MS Sakina Mahdvi and president of Imamia Students Organization (ISO) Athar Amam also spoke at the occasion.

The participants reached the venue from different areas of the country. The conference continued from 10am to 7pm. Welcome camps were set up at entry points of the city where private armed men were deputed along with strict security measures deployed at all entry points.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2012.