Proposed changes in blasphemy laws

Businessmen lend support to strike call by the religious parties against proposed amendments in the blasphemy laws.

PESHAWAR/ABBOTTABAD: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa businessmen have lent their support to the strike call given by the religious parties against the proposed amendments in the blasphemy laws.

Tehrik Namoos-i-Risalat, an alliance of religious parties, campaigning against changes in blasphemy laws, has announced to observe a complete shutter down strike across the province on December 31.

Announcing their decision on Wednesday, to support the strike call, the traders said that they will observe complete strike on the call of All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran (APAT).

The president of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the association, Sharafat Ali Mubarak told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) that a meeting of the organization has decided to fully support the APAT decision. Mubarak said that all bazaars, markets and shopping centres will remain closed.

Haji Haleem Jan, another trader leader, addressing a separate news conference at the press club said that the traders fully supported the religious organisations and will participate in the protest rallies.

They said that KPK traders will express complete solidarity with the central trading body.

On this occasion Sharafat Ali also added that traders would also protest against the proposed Reformed General Sale Tax (RGST), growing power and gas loadshedding, and sky-rocketing of prices in the country and in KPK.

He said that they will resist any decision against business community and continue.

Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI-F) and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders were also present on this occasion.

HAZARA DIVISION

Local chapters of almost all the political and religious parties, lawyers, traders and transporters associations have announced observance of shutter down and wheel-jam strike across Hazara division on Friday against the proposed amendment to the blasphemy laws.

In separate meetings held in Haripur, Havellian, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Battagram on Tuesday, the local leaders of all major political and religious parties pledged to launch a joint struggle to thwart the move.

The traders and transporters’ representatives announced full support to the shutter down and wheel-jam strike call and will not allow any vehicle on the roads from Friday morning.

It was decided that all markets, businesses and shopping centres will remain closed and there will be rallies and protest demonstrations before and after Friday prayers.

An official of the law enforcement agencies said that foolproof security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident.

“We are fully prepared because the strike coincides with New Year’s Eve”, he said, adding that extra care will be taken around churches, hotels and guest houses in and around Abbottabad every year on December 31 because certain elements are always out to sabotage New Year’s celebrations, if there is any.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2010.