LAHORE - Pir Hameedudin Sialvi, who is spearheading a campaign against the government after its move to tone down the law about finality of prophethood, on Saturday appeared to have changed his agenda when he called for enforcement of Shariah within seven days.
In case the government fails to meet the demand, he said at Khatme Nabowat moot in front of Data Darbar on Saturday, a countrywide protest campaign will be started.
Pir Sialvi reached Data Darbar along with his followers in the afternoon. Many leaders addressed the crowd and among them was Ghulam Bibi Bharwana who already tendered her resignation from the National Assembly seat to express support for the cause of Pir Sialvi.
It was Pir Sialvi’s third mass meeting in row to get resignation of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. Earlier, he addressed pubic gathering at Dhobi Ghat Faisalabad and Sheranwala Chowk in Gujranwala and asked Rana Sana to tender resignation or get ready to face the movement. However, during his Saturday’s short speech, he changed the agenda and demanded for the enforcement of Islamic laws in country in seven days.
He also took oath of loyalty from his supporters and the leaders on the stage, who included JUP-Noorani Chief Sahibzada Abual Khair Zubair, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek Head Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Tehreek Labaik Head Dr Ashraf Asif Jalai, to stand with him through thick and thin on his cause in coming days.
Pir Sialvi condemned the government in its failure to arrest the killer in Zainab murder-cum- rape case. He said the government had lost credibility to rule because it badly failed to deliver justice to people. He said the solution of problems lied in enforcement of Islamic law.
Ms Bharwana is leader from Jhang and among the few legislators who announced her decision to quit the lower house of parliament. Rawalpindi’s Sheikh Rasheed on January 17 announced the similar decision. PTI Chairman Imran Khan, apparently, is also in the favour of such a move. However, a formal decision on the subject would be taken by the party in its meeting due to be held in next week.
Analysts say that the resignation move and Pir Sialvi protest threat could create a difficult situation for the PML-N government in coming days.
IFTIKHAR ALAM