ASWJ protests against Malik Ishaq’s arrest

LAHORE: Chanting slogans like “Shias are infidels” and demanding the release of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) co-founder Malik Ishaq, members of the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamat protested outside the Lahore Press Club on Friday.

Around 60 to 70 members of ASWJ had gathered to demand the release of Ishaq, who was sent on 14-day judicial remand to Kot Lakhpat jail.  A case had been registered against Ishaq on August 9 after he had given a “provocative speech to spread hatred” during a Khatm-e-Nabuwwat rally near Lahore.

Ishaq’s son, Malik Muhammad Usman, who is also deputy president ASWJ in Rahim Yar Khan, told The Express Tribune, “Peaceful protests were carried out by ASWJ across Punjab, the biggest was in our hometown, Rahim Yar Khan.”

ASWJ says that protests were taken out in Lodharan, Multan, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Chicha Watni, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur.

Protesters in Lahore said that the sectarian conflict will end if the government places a ban on literature which “insults” the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) and the court declares the death penalty for those who do the same.

ASWJ is known to be the political wing of the banned militant outfit, Sipah-e-Sahaba(SSP). Protesters were seen carrying placards of the SSP.

Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, chief of ASWJ, also admitted that they had changed their name after the ban on SSP.