Grievances registered: Law enforcers stop protesters from marching towards Iranian Consulate
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers outside the consulate.
ASWJ protesters rally against alleged attempts by Iran to sow sectarian unrest in Pakistan on Friday. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI:
Hundreds of supporters of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) gathered outside Siddiq-e-Akbar Masjid, the party's Karachi headquarters in Nagan Chowrangi, after Friday prayers and marched till Guru Mandir. They were, however, stopped by law enforcers from moving towards the Iranian Consulate General - the planned venue of the protest.
The protest rally and sit-in was held by the ASWJ against what the party termed, "Iran's involvement in flaring religious and sectarian strife in Pakistan."
The protest was called after Raja Omar Khattab, in-charge of the Crime Investigation Department's Counter Terrorism and Financial Crime Unit, disclosed that a neighbouring country was involved in sectarian violence.
"Not allowing us to protest peacefully at the announced venue is tantamount to the infringement of citizens' rights," said Allama Aurangzeb Farooqui, the party's central spokesperson, as the protesters shouted slogans against the Iranian government.
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers outside the consulate, located adjacent to the Clifton Bridge, since Friday morning to deal with any untoward situation.
ASWJ chief Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi alleged that Iran is directly involved in deepening sectarian differences and killing of religious scholars and seminary students in Pakistan.
"Friday has been observed as a day of protest against Tehran's involvement in the training, arming and funding of the sectarian criminals," said Ludhianvi. "If Tehran fails to amend its intervention policy in our internal affairs, these protests will turn into a decisive movement across the country."
On Wednesday, the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi had rejected reports which accused Tehran of having links with elements instigating religious and sectarian tension in Pakistan. They declared the allegations as "baseless and irresponsible."
"It is an effort to divert public opinion from the root cause of the strife. It aims to sabotage the friendly relations and brotherly ties between the two countries. Its purpose is to foment division among Muslim brothers," said the spokesperson for Iranian Consulate General in Karachi in a statement. "Iran has always raised voice for the unity and fraternity of Muslim Ummah and believes that creating discord and hatred among Muslim communities only helps the enemies of Islam reach their objectives."
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2014.
Hundreds of supporters of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) gathered outside Siddiq-e-Akbar Masjid, the party's Karachi headquarters in Nagan Chowrangi, after Friday prayers and marched till Guru Mandir. They were, however, stopped by law enforcers from moving towards the Iranian Consulate General - the planned venue of the protest.
The protest rally and sit-in was held by the ASWJ against what the party termed, "Iran's involvement in flaring religious and sectarian strife in Pakistan."
The protest was called after Raja Omar Khattab, in-charge of the Crime Investigation Department's Counter Terrorism and Financial Crime Unit, disclosed that a neighbouring country was involved in sectarian violence.
"Not allowing us to protest peacefully at the announced venue is tantamount to the infringement of citizens' rights," said Allama Aurangzeb Farooqui, the party's central spokesperson, as the protesters shouted slogans against the Iranian government.
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers outside the consulate, located adjacent to the Clifton Bridge, since Friday morning to deal with any untoward situation.
ASWJ chief Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi alleged that Iran is directly involved in deepening sectarian differences and killing of religious scholars and seminary students in Pakistan.
"Friday has been observed as a day of protest against Tehran's involvement in the training, arming and funding of the sectarian criminals," said Ludhianvi. "If Tehran fails to amend its intervention policy in our internal affairs, these protests will turn into a decisive movement across the country."
On Wednesday, the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi had rejected reports which accused Tehran of having links with elements instigating religious and sectarian tension in Pakistan. They declared the allegations as "baseless and irresponsible."
"It is an effort to divert public opinion from the root cause of the strife. It aims to sabotage the friendly relations and brotherly ties between the two countries. Its purpose is to foment division among Muslim brothers," said the spokesperson for Iranian Consulate General in Karachi in a statement. "Iran has always raised voice for the unity and fraternity of Muslim Ummah and believes that creating discord and hatred among Muslim communities only helps the enemies of Islam reach their objectives."
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2014.