Thousands rally in Karachi over blasphemous film, cartoons
Protesters called for shutting down all French and US diplomatic missions.
KARACHI:
At least 5,000 Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) activists rallied in Karachi on Sunday to denounce a US-made anti-Islam film and the publication of blasphemous cartoons in France, police and witnesses said.
Police beefed up security for the rally while paramilitary forces also deployed.
"Beheading is the only one punishment for blasphemy," read one banner. "We demand all French and US diplomatic missions shut in Pakistan," said another, as protesters shouted: "We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the honour of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)!"
Senior police official Amir Lodhi said that "about 5,000 people were in the rally", adding that organisers made assurances they would not march towards the US consulate.
The rally dispersed peacefully, an AFP reporter said.
The crudely made "Innocence of Muslims" movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the globe.
At least 5,000 Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) activists rallied in Karachi on Sunday to denounce a US-made anti-Islam film and the publication of blasphemous cartoons in France, police and witnesses said.
Police beefed up security for the rally while paramilitary forces also deployed.
"Beheading is the only one punishment for blasphemy," read one banner. "We demand all French and US diplomatic missions shut in Pakistan," said another, as protesters shouted: "We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the honour of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)!"
Senior police official Amir Lodhi said that "about 5,000 people were in the rally", adding that organisers made assurances they would not march towards the US consulate.
The rally dispersed peacefully, an AFP reporter said.
The crudely made "Innocence of Muslims" movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the globe.