Banned outfits continue to rally in the capital

Supporters of Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal-Jamaat gather to protest the arrest of their chief Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi.

ISLAMABAD: Supporters of Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal-Jamaat, a front for the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), gathered near Red Mosque to protest the arrest of their chief Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi. Punjab government had nabbed Ludhianvi in his hometown of Jhang a few days ago.

This is the second time in three days that a front organisation for a banned religious outfit held a rally in Islamabad despite the imposition of section 144 in the city.

“Cases are normally registered against the organisers of such protests when they do not disperse on the instructions of the administration,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmed.

However, no physical action was taken by the authorities to disperse the protestors.

“Any direct action against the charged mob would create an ugly situation, so we just register cases against the organisers after the rally is over,” said the DC, before adding, “Action is seldom taken on the cases because of the political influence of the people booked.”

SSP supporters carrying flags and banners demanded that the government of Punjab immediately release their chief. They condemned the arrest of Ludhianvi, terming it unnecessary and unwarranted.

They also condemned the sentencing of Dr Aafia Siddiqui by a United States court a few days ago and demanded that the government make necessary efforts for her return to Pakistan.

The participants of the rally blocked the road in front of Red Mosque for over an hour before dispersing peacefully. They also condemned the Indian Supreme Court’s recent verdict on Babri Mosque.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2010.