LAHORE - Leaders of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) have pledged to continue struggle for protecting the Blasphemy Law and fight against the extremist forces to save Pakistan, besides contesting the next general polls from the platform of SIC. The long march was launched by SIC to protest against terror attacks on shrines, government efforts to make changes in the Blasphemy Law, price-hike and Indian forces atrocities on Kashmiris. Addressing the participants of the 'Save Pakistan Long March outside the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (Data Sahab) at its conclusion, SIC chairman Sahabzada Fazal Karim said another long march would be called from the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi to that of Baba Farid, Pakpattan. He also demanded an All Parties Conference (APC) to purge the government circles from the supporters of militants and said this nation loved Sufis and had no inclination towards terrorists. The SIC Chief also pledged to save the country from evil designs of terrorists and reiterated the commitment to bring back politics to public from the lofty power corridors. Condemning the drone attacks, Sahibzada Fazal said that the rulers should stop serving as the agents of US, as the ongoing events of terrorism in Pakistan were the result of the policies being pursued by our government on the behest of the Americans. He also stressed the foreign powers to stop their proxy wars in Pakistan and urged the United Nations to take violation of human rights in Kashmir. Another leader of SIC, Sarwat Ejaz Qadri on the occasion said that any move against the true followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would result in the downfall of the rulers. He said that Hazrat Ali Hajveri was the real custodian of 'Takht-e-Lahore, whereas the corrupt rulers including those who had written off their loans were the real cause of the disaster faced by the country. Meanwhile, the participants of the gathering chanted the slogans including 'America Na Taliban, Pakistan Pakistan, 'Auliya Ka Hay Faizan, Pakistan Pakistan. The other leaders of SIC who were present on the occasion included Haji Hanif Tayyab, Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, Peer Syed Iqbal Shah, Dr Ragib Naeemi, Safdar Shah Gilani, Mufti Fazal Rehman Okarvi, Syed Mehfooz Mashahdi, Syed Shahid Gardaizi, Sahibzada Arif Naeem Noori and others. Moreover, participants of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) sponsored 'Save Pakistan Long March reached the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri late on Sunday night amid tight security. The long march was started from the shrine of Barri Imam (Islamabad) on Saturday and after passing through Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala, peacefully culminated at its point of Hazrat Ali Hajveris shrine, while the march was organised by some groups of Barelvi school of thought under the umbrella of Sunni Ittehad Council. Sahibzada Fazl-e-Karim, who was elected as an MNA on PML-N ticket, was leading the SIC but so far lacking political support, as no religious party of the Barelvi school of thought is joining it. However, it has got backing of the PML-Q as former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi criticised the Punjab Government for police torture, uncalled for arrests of peaceful protesters and creating hurdles in their march. Meanwhile, general secretary of JUP, a major political party of Barelvis said that terror attacks on shrines were being funded by a foreign power and the same was active to encourage agitation against the assaults for fanning sectarianism in the country. It is to be mentioned here, the participation was thin in the long march, as nearly 4,000 people participated in the long march, however, the SIC leaders said that the provincial government had arrested a large number of their activists to stop them from turning their march a 'big show. In Rawalpindi, the police had barricaded the Grand Trunk Road and had fought a 'brick battle with the activists before allowing them to move towards the provincial metropolis, further scaring away the people. However, the marchers were not hindered on the rest of the route as they were given receptions in each town and city on their way. In Lahore, police cordoned off the Ali Hajveris mausoleum known as Data Darbar at 3pm as traffic on all the roads leading to it was blocked. At least 1,000 police officials were deputed around it as a security measure. The marchers were also asked to get off the vehicles they were riding on at Azadi Chowk and march on foot around a kilometre to reach the shrine. Strict security measures have been taken to avert any untoward incident, as Lahore Police claimed to have chalked out a comprehensive security plan to protect long marchers. Although security lapses could also be observed at few sensitive points including the way passing from the backside of the DIG Operations leading towards the Datar Darbar. However, at least 1500 extra police officers/officials had cordoned off all the exit/entry points. Interestingly, sources in Lahore Police claimed the big guns of the police department had already planned to halt the long march on three points before it approached the Punjab capital. Frankly speaking following the directives of bigwigs we had to stop the mob at Kala Shah Kaku as a good number of police contingents were deployed there for the aforementioned purpose. The second main point was Shahdara Chowk and lastly we were directed to halt the long march at Ravi Bridge, established sources revealed. According to top police sources, three main points including Ravi Bridge, Sagian Bridge and the area near Old Sabzimandi was completely closed down for all kinds of public movements. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammad Asif said, We could not take any kind of risk as almost all the sensitive points have been shut down. The DSP, deployed near DCO Office, further said the police were performing their duties from early on Sunday and would remained alert till the last participant of long march left the vicinity of Data Darbar. However the aforesaid numbers of police officers were deployed to provide protection to the entire long march. At least 410 police officers have already been discharging their duties at Data Darbar. You can see the entire Darbar has been sealed from all sides, a sub-inspector deployed at Darbar commented. He however said dozens of vehicles of provincial police were moving with the long march and the Ravi Road was entirely sealed from both sides.