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ISLAMABAD: From Liaquat Bagh to Parliament House, the supporters of Mumtaz Qadri left a trail of smoke and debris in their wake as they marched on the capital.
Citizens of the twin cities, meanwhile, were confined to their homes in the absence of up-to-date information about the movement of the protesters due to a lack of coverage on electronic media.
Qadri’s chehlum was held at Liaquat Bagh, where speakers including Sarwat Qadri of the Sunni Tehreek called on participants to march towards Islamabad.
Protesters demand release of Sunni prisoners, want Mumtaz Qadri declared martyr
Marchers were stopped by police at Chandni Chowk, where they retaliated and injured a number of law enforcement personnel. They were intercepted again at Shamsabad, where police used tear gas to deter them. However, the marchers pushed on, making it to Faizabad, where they moved the containers blocking their path and entered the capital.
Protesters beat a paramilitary soldier during clashes near the parliament building in Islamabad, Sunday, March 27, 2016.—AP
City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi and Waris Khan DSP Zaman Raza were injured in clashes with protesters here. Around 1,000 people were booked and over a dozen were injured, the CPO told Dawn. “We are considering imposing Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) Section 7 (which deals with creating terror and violence in society) on these protesters. A case has not been registered yet but consultations with legal experts are underway,” he said.
Once they entered Islamabad, the protesters had a clear path to the Red Zone. On their way, they torched the metro bus station at China Chowk and torched motorcycles and vehicles, damaged private and public property in Blue Area and tried to break the grills of the metro bus track.
Any policeman unfortunate enough to get in the way of the protesters was also badly beaten.
The retreating police kept firing a steady stream of teargas canisters at the advancing mob. This made it difficult to breathe and many people were seen gasping for breath. But the protesters seemed to be on top of things and certain individuals distributed salt, water and gas masks to protesters so they could cope with the effects of the teargas.
Rawalpindi-resident Kamran Hussain, who claimed to be a police official and former member of the Muslim Students Federation, told Dawn that the protesters had been peaceful, but it was the police that forced them to turn violent.
Supporters of Mumtaz Qadri gather next to a burning trailer truck during clashes in Islamabad on March 27, 2016.—AFP
He claimed police opened fire at unarmed protesters. This enraged the mob, which then turned on the police officers. However, a police official, who was not authorized to speak on the record denied that police had fired live rounds on protesters.
“As many as 22 Rangers, police and FC personnel were injured when protesters pelted them with stones and beat them with sticks,” he said.
Another protester, Mazhar Iqbal, who is an FSc student, told Dawn he had come to Islamabad with 16 other people from Sialkot.
“We came here because we want to atone for our sins and prepare for the afterlife. We will not go back unless our demands are met,” he said.
Mohammad Farhan said he had come from Rawalpindi, but was forced to go back because of the intense teargas shelling. “If protest continues, I will come back to D-Chowk to show solidarity,” he said.
The leaders of the protest, meanwhile, kept using abusive and derogatory language for media persons, saying that they were not on hand to provide them coverage.
The protesters at D-Chowk also released a set of 10 demands to the media. Issued under the banner of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool (SAW), the statement claimed that Pakistan’s Islamic identity was being threatened and that “an agenda to secularise Pakistan is rapidly taking shape”.
The demands included the unconditional release of all Sunni clerics and leaders booked on various charges, including terrorism and murder; the recognition of Mumtaz Qadri as a martyr and the conversion of his Adiala Jail cell into a national heritage site; assurances that the blasphemy laws will not be amended; and the removal of Ahmadis and other non-Muslims who had occupied key posts. They also demanded the execution of blasphemy accused Aasia Bibi, the woman former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was killed for defending.
Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2016
Comments (31) Closed
It takes years to build some infrastructure in pakistan and then some illetrate people come on streets and destroy it. what a shame
There was adequate intelligence on this mob and their intention to cause disruption & destruction. Security agencies failure has raised serious questions. Heads should roll and those responsible should be made accountable. Complacency is not the order of the day.
Radicalization and terrorism can only finish in Pakistan if the religious clerics condemn it!
No doubt these protesters are knowingly or unknowingly promoting lawlessness, defaming Islam, and further tarnishing the country image outside. Alas! they understand.
Unfortunate. Ignorance prevails.
A shameful state of Police and Law & Order where police officers and bureaucrats enjoy Perks but cannot control mobs.
Inciters to violence are terrorist and they should be treated as such whether Mumtaz Qadri or Police official who fired on the unarmed protesters. Rule of Law should prevail in this country if we want things to improve in this country
It will get noisier before it becomes shriller and then there will be a deafening silence. Destruction everywhere.
Do these people have no shame! what face of Islam are these people showing the world. This is not the teaching of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (saw). Torching a bus is not befitting any religious cleric.... let alone a Muslim. This is a battle of the wills of Mullah against the Government. If the government gives in now.... Mullah will take over and take Pakistan to a regressive, oppressive state.
Few peoples with radical thoughts and mindset can not make hostage to the whole nation!
Where is the writ of the govt ???? are they here only to loot & plunder ?????
Implosion of the society, unless a solution is found soon. Last thing Pakistan can afford is a takeover by the likes of Taliban and these blinded followers.
Its very shameful to see on TV channels that 2 to 3 injured patients of suicide blast were lying on 1 bed ..... Is this govt is here only to work on commission making projects like metro, orange & under pass & over Heads only ??? why can't they invest on hospitals & schools etc ????
Its imperative that the state comes down hard on these protestors! A mere 2000 people is holding hostage a nation of 200 million!
This is pure non sense to destroy or damage government or public property under any circumstances. Bunch of emotional idiots can not be allowed to take public life in their hands.
All those involved must be arrested and changed. This is unacceptable.
Where is the writ of the government.
Police case should be registered against all those who damaged the government and public property else religious leaders should compensate using Islamic law. Those government officials who did not take action against the mob should also be considered accountable.
if this was china they wud be behind bars
This is breach of constitution, article 6 and the culprits especially their so-called leadership should be put on trial, rule of law should be maintained at all costs...
These things will continue If justice is only for against a poor. where poor murderer get hanged and rich VIP murderers moves freely ..
The group is trying to provoke the government. Hoping that the police will ovrreact, giving these protestors more reasons to become viloent.
Very disappointed in absolute failure of governance! Shame on the government for allowing the sympathizers of terror and the forces of destruction to take over public parks, terrorize the citizens, block public streets as well as destroy public and private property in Rawalpindi - Islamabad. Scores of peaceful citizens were killed and wounded in Lahore and the Karachi Press club was attacked by extremist elements. Is is not the basic function of the government to protect life and property of the citizens at any and all cost?
What a shame! A handful of misguided lot tries to hostage the entire nation. They have no right to impose their will on 180 million strong nation. They should be dealt with an iron hand!
The Government that fails to safeguard public life and property for whatever reason, is a failed Government. The whole issue rests on the fact that, there is no writ of the government and no respect for the judiciary and implementation on its decisions, be it this matter, or any other on which actions are pending in sympathies with the sentenced culprits.
Bigotry prevails........
While political protest is one's right the destruction of infrastructure is unforgivable. The leadership of outfits which arranged this protest should be taken to task for destruction and damages. They should be made to compensate for the loss of property and locked up for years to teach a lasting lesson.
Political parties are also to blame for instigating people against modern infrastructure. Thier negativity impacts young and ignorant minds which is evident in the destruction caused in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
PTI, PML-Q , PPP should watch their statements against modern infrastructure being put up in various major urban centers.
and will they compensate for the property damage?
All of their demands are ridiculus.
@iffi When these terrorist killed fifty people on a Bus in Karachi; where was Nawaz, he didn't even went to the hospital to see the injured. When winter comes can spring be far behind.
@Taimur You are damned right; it is called dereliction of duty, and charges should be filed against these facilitators.